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Science (086) — CBSE Class 10 board question

Q1. [2] § 8.2.4 Sex Determination
Justify that the sex determination of a child is based on what they inherit from their father and not from their mother.
Previously asked in CBSE board exam
2022 31/3/1 Q6(b)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 06:53 · grounding rag
Model Answer

In humans, females have two X chromosomes (XX) and males have one X and one Y chromosome (XY). The mother can only pass on an X chromosome to every child. The father, however, can pass either X or Y. A child inheriting X from the father is a girl; inheriting Y makes a boy. Hence, the sex of the child is determined by the father.

Source: Chapter 8, Section 8.2.4 – Sex Determination

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Explanation

The key logic examiners want: mother is always XX → only X possible from her → father's contribution (X or Y) is the deciding factor. State this clearly with the XX/XY notation. Two marks = two key points: (1) mother contributes only X, (2) father contributes either X or Y, determining the sex. Don't forget to mention which combination gives a girl (XX) and which gives a boy (XY).

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Previous-year CBSE Grade 10 board exam questions, organised by subject and chapter, each with a model answer — free to read and print.