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Organisms of many species are specialized into male and female varieties, each known as a sex, with some falling in between being intersex. Sexual reproduction involves the combining and mixing of genetic traits: specialized cells known as gametes combine to form offspring that inherit traits from each parent. Gametes can be identical in form and function (known as isogamy), but in many cases an asymmetry has evolved such that two sex-specific types of gametes (heterogametes) exist (known as anisogamy).
Among humans and other mammals, males typically carry XY chromosomes, whereas females typically carry XX chromosomes, which are a part of the XY sex-determination system. Other animals have a sex-determination system as well, such as the ZW sex-determination system in birds, and the X0 sex-determination system in insects.
The gametes produced by an organism are determined by its sex: males produce male gametes (spermatozoa, or sperm, in animals; pollen in plants) while females produce female gametes (ova, or egg cells); individual organisms which produce both male and female gametes are termed hermaphroditic. Frequently, physical differences are associated with the different sexes of an organism; these sexual dimorphisms can reflect the different reproductive pressures the sexes experience. For instance, mate choice and sexual selection can accelerate the evolution of physical differences between the sexes.

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  1. Jack Montague

    QLD Turning 18 but have a 16 year old girlfriend.

    Im a 17 year old male from Queensland, Australia. I have a girlfriend who is currently 16. We engage in sexual activity. I turn 18 whilst she is still 16. What will need to happen in terms of sexual activity?
  2. R

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    I would like to pay for a few hours of advice in order to plan litigation if there is a cause of action. My story has been hard for me to recount because retelling it makes me cry and vomit, in a devastated frozen state that lasts whole days. I get flashbacks and I feel it is still happening...
  3. F

    QLD Separation same sex de-facto

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  4. J

    QLD 15 yr old lied about being 16 and had sex with 20 year old?

    I lied to my boyfriend that I'm 16 and we had sex a couple times but I forgot that I lied to him about my age. My mum has found his boxers in my room and a receipt for emergency contraceptive pills and she keeps threatening that she'll report him to the police. I recently turned 16 but we did...
  5. C

    QLD Sex Offender Rules about Living with Accused

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  6. A

    SA Age of Consent - When to Have Legal Sexual Intercourse?

    Hi, Can a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old have legal sexual intercourse? Sorry for the dumb question, but I've been searching online for this and so far the answer has been pretty ambiguous. Can anyone please help? Thank you!