question_answer 45)

    In our society a woman is often blamed for not bearing male child. Do you think it is right? Justify.

Answer:

                  It is unfortunate that in our society women are blamed for giving birth to female children and have been ostracised and ill-treated because of this false notion. Out of 23 pairs of chromosomes present, 22 pairs are exactly same in both males and females, these are the autosomes. A pair of X-chromosomes are present in the female, whereas the presence of an X and Y-chromosome are determinant of the male characteristic. During spermatogenesis among males, two types of gametes are produced. 50 per cent of the total sperm produced carry the X-chromosome and the rest 50% hasY-chromosome besides the autosomes. Females, however, produce only one type of ovum with an X-chromosome. There is an equal probability of fertilization of the ovum with thesperm carrying either X or Y-chromosome. In case when the ovum fertilizes with a sperm carrying X-chromosome the zygote develops into a female (XX) and the fertilization of ovum with Y-chromosome carrying sperm results into a male offspring. Thus, it is evident that it is the genetic makeup of the sperm (male) that determines the sex of the child. It is also evident that in each pregnancy there is always 50% probability or having either amale or a female child.