Sexual Differentiation

Question 1

What is sexual determination?

Answer 1

Sexual determination is a genetically controlled process that determine what sex you should be.

It is controlled by a molecular switch on the Y chromosome

Question 2

What is sexual differentiation?

Answer 2

Sexual differentiation is a process with the phenotype as it’s product. Aka male/female.

Question 3

What are the different levels of sexual differentiation?

Answer 3

Embryo XX/XY genotypic sex

Gonadal sex, hormone secretes

Phenotypic sex internal/external genitalia

Legal sex, ID

Gender identity

Question 4

When does the gonadal ridge develop into gonads?

And where can you find it at this point?

Answer 4

Around 3-4 weeks old of a embryo.

It can be found on the wall of lower thoracic lumbar region.

Question 5

What will the Mullarian duct differentiate into?

Answer 5

Uterus.

Aka female internal sexual organs.

Question 6

What will the wolf Ian duct develop into?

Answer 6

Vas deferens.

Aka male internal sexual organs.

Question 7

What is the sex determining molecular switch? And where is it?

Answer 7

Sex determining region Y (SRY).

It can be found on chromosome Y

Question 8

What does the SRY do?

Answer 8

The gene cause the differentiation of Gonad into testes from the wolfian duct.

This happens sometime after the 7th week.

Question 9

Which two cells of the testes produce hormones?

Answer 9

The Sertoli cell produce anti-mullarian hormone

The leydig cell make testosterone