[Campbell Biology P.347] In the Z-W system of sex determination, found in birds, what determ... | Practice Question

In the Z-W system of sex determination, found in birds, what determines the sex of the offspring?

  • A: The sperm cell, which can carry either a Z or a W chromosome.
  • B: The egg cell, which can carry either a Z or a W chromosome.
  • C: The temperature at which the egg is incubated.
  • D: Whether the egg is fertilized or not.

Explanation

In the Z-W system, females are the heterogametic sex ZW and males are the homogametic sex ZZ . This means that all sperm cells carry a Z chromosome, while egg cells can carry either a Z or a W. Therefore, the sex of the offspring is determined by the sex chromosome present in the egg.