Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

The Ratio of X Chromosome to Autosomes02:45

The Ratio of X Chromosome to Autosomes

In most organisms, sex is determined by the ratio of X and Y chromosomes. However, in some organisms, such as Drosophila and C.elegans, sex is determined by the ratio of the number of X chromosomes to the number of sets of autosomes. The Y chromosome in Drosophila is active but does not determine sex. It contains genes responsible for the production of sperms in adult flies.  
Normal male Drosophila has a ratio of one X chromosome to two sets of autosomes. In contrast, normal female Drosophila...
The Y Chromosome Determines Maleness02:19

The Y Chromosome Determines Maleness

The Y chromosome is a sex chromosome found in several vertebrates and mammals, including humans. In addition to 22 pairs of autosomes, the human males have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome. In these organisms, the presence or absence of the Y chromosome determines the development of male traits.
Evolution
Around 300 million years ago, the two sex chromosomes diverged from two identical autosomal chromosomes. Over time, the Y chromosome has lost most of its genes, shrinking in size. Today,...
Development of the Sexual Organs in the Embryo and Fetus01:15

Development of the Sexual Organs in the Embryo and Fetus

Development of the reproductive organs in an embryo starts from a bipotential state. This means the early embryo can develop either male or female reproductive organs. The formation of these organs begins with the growth of gonadal ridges that arise from the intermediate mesoderm during the fifth week of development.
Near the gonadal ridges, two duct systems are present: the mesonephric ducts (Wolffian ducts) and paramesonephric ducts (Müllerian ducts). These ducts form the basis for the male...
Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development01:30

Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development

Social-emotional experiences and cultural influences play significant roles in shaping gender development. During middle childhood, from ages 6 to 11, peer groups become dominant in reinforcing gender norms. Children in this age group often align with same-gender peer groups, which actively encourage behaviors that conform to traditional gender roles. For instance, boys may be discouraged from engaging in activities perceived as feminine, reinforcing culturally dictated norms about masculinity...
X and Y Chromosomes02:32

X and Y Chromosomes

Among mammals, the gender of an organism is determined by the sex chromosomes. Humans have two sex chromosomes, X and Y. Every human diploid cell has 22 pairs of autosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes. A human female has two X chromosomes, while a male has one X chromosome and one Y chromosome.
The germline cells such as egg and sperm cells carry only half the number of chromosomes, i.e., 22 autosomes and one sex chromosome. All eggs have an X chromosome, while sperm cells can carry an X or...
Sex Linked Disorders01:43

Sex Linked Disorders

Like autosomes, sex chromosomes contain a variety of genes necessary for normal body function. When a mutation in one of these genes results in biological deficits, the disorder is considered sex-linked.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

An Introduction to Scientific Masculinities.

Osiris·2016
Same author

The evolution of the concept of medicalization in the late twentieth century.

Journal of the history of the behavioral sciences·2003
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Establishment of Rat Models Mimicking Gender-affirming Hormone Therapies
06:24

Establishment of Rat Models Mimicking Gender-affirming Hormone Therapies

Published on: January 10, 2025

How sex became gender.

Robert A Nye1

  • 1Oregon State Univ.

Psychoanalysis and History
|September 18, 2010
PubMed
Summary

The term "sex," once denoting fixed biological traits, is being replaced by "gender" in common Western usage. This shift risks obscuring gender identity as a social construct, despite feminist theories.

Area of Science:

  • Social Sciences
  • Gender Studies
  • Linguistics

Background:

  • The traditional Western understanding of "sex" as immutable biological traits is being challenged.
  • Feminist theory proposed "gender" as a social construct distinct from biological sex.
  • Recent discourse shows a trend towards using "gender" with deterministic, biological connotations.

Observation:

  • General usage in the West is shifting from "sex" to "gender."
  • The term "gender" is increasingly associated with biological determinism, mirroring older concepts of "sex."
  • This linguistic evolution challenges the constructivist understanding of gender.

Findings:

  • The common understanding of "sex" is eroding, with "gender" adopting its former biological and deterministic meanings.

More Related Videos

Sex Stratified Neuronal Cultures to Study Ischemic Cell Death Pathways
10:44

Sex Stratified Neuronal Cultures to Study Ischemic Cell Death Pathways

Published on: December 9, 2013

Dissection of Larval Zebrafish Gonadal Tissue
10:43

Dissection of Larval Zebrafish Gonadal Tissue

Published on: April 26, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Establishment of Rat Models Mimicking Gender-affirming Hormone Therapies
06:24

Establishment of Rat Models Mimicking Gender-affirming Hormone Therapies

Published on: January 10, 2025

Sex Stratified Neuronal Cultures to Study Ischemic Cell Death Pathways
10:44

Sex Stratified Neuronal Cultures to Study Ischemic Cell Death Pathways

Published on: December 9, 2013

Dissection of Larval Zebrafish Gonadal Tissue
10:43

Dissection of Larval Zebrafish Gonadal Tissue

Published on: April 26, 2017

  • Developmental theorists and clinicians are contributing to this materialist conception of gender.
  • The widespread adoption of this view is not yet certain.

    • Implications:

    • The shift in terminology may hinder the conceptualization of gender identity as a historically and socially constructed category.
    • Understanding this linguistic evolution is crucial for ongoing discussions in gender studies and social sciences.
    • This trend could impact how we analyze and discuss gender in various academic and public spheres.