[Campbell Biology P.1079] Which statement accurately describes the characteristics and roles ... | Practice Question
Which statement accurately describes the characteristics and roles of sex hormones in mammals, as discussed in the text?
A: Testosterone levels are significantly higher in females than in males, whereas estradiol levels are higher in males.
B: Androgens primarily contribute to female secondary sex characteristics, while estrogens are responsible for male primary sex characteristics.
C: Gonadotropins like FSH and LH act directly on target tissues to induce secondary sex characteristics without involving gonads.
D: Androgens direct the appearance of primary male sex characteristics in embryos, and all major steroid sex hormones (androgens, estrogens, progesterone) are produced by gonads.
Explanation
The text explicitly states that 'androgens produced in male embryos direct the appearance of the primary sex characteristics of males'. It also mentions that 'The gonads produce and secrete three major types of steroid sex hormones: androgens, principally testosterone; estrogens, principally estradiol; and progesterone.'