if XX sperm swim slower because they carry more genetic material, what exactly IS the genetic material ?

Question

the XY sperm will create boy babies that have the ability to create XX sperm.... so... i'm confused

Answer 1

The sperm are haploid. Therefore it is either X sperm or Y sperm, not XX or XY sperm. Sperm contain only half of the genetic information of the eventual embryo.

When the sperm enters the egg, the genetic material is combined and the resulting embryo will have the full amount of DNA. So boys receive only the Y from the sperm used to make them and get their "X" from their mothers egg.

The genetic material is the DNA that make up the chromosomes. Half the chromosomes come from the sperm and half from the egg. All chromosomes are the same shape and size as their complement (you have two of each chromosome) except for the sex chromosomes which are the X and Y chromosome we are talking about where the Y chromosome is smaller.

Answer 2

The X and Y chromosomes are not shaped like
X's and Y's. It is just a tradition that they are
referred to by these names. The X chromosome
is much larger than the Y chromosome, which
carries relatively little genetic information. The
chromosomes are made up of DNA and protein.
Because of the size difference between the X and
Y chromosomes the sperm with a Y swims very
slightly faster than the one with the X. The ratio
of male to female births is consequently about
105 males to every 100 females.

The male can NOT produce XX sperm. The sperm will carry either one X or one Y chromosome. Each female ovum contains one X
chromosome. Consequently the sex of the child
is determined by the sperm. A sperm with an X
chromosome produces a girl, one with a Y produces a boy. Various other genes and influences can alter the results somewhat. For
example if another gene prevents the production
of testosterone in the amount and at the time
needed, a child that has the XY chromosome
complement will appear to be a girl, but will be
sterile. In other words, the female anatomy is the
default condition.

Answer 3

"Genetic material" as you put it is the basic units that make DNA... nucleotides. Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, and Thymine. A's, G's, C's, and T's.

Now, an X chromosome is slightly larger than a Y because of it's extra arm... so in theory, yes X sperm swim slower.... BARELY. All sperm carry 23 chromosomes, which is half of a human's full count. The other half comes from the egg.

Once a full set is completed, let's say 46 XY... you get a male. Now this male can create X sperm because of meiosis. Since a sperm only needs 23 chromosomes, the Y gets the boot and that particular sperm carries only an X sex chromosome.This pairs with the female's X in the egg and gives you XX.... A female!

Answer 4

The X and Y chromosome are so named because they are shaped like an X and a Y and made out of genetic material.

If you wanted to make a 2ft high X out of cupcakes on your kitchen table and a 2ft high Y out of cupcakes, which would take more cupcakes?

If you know which would take more cupcakes, you know why the XX weighs more than the XY.

(and the boy babies will NEVER be able to make XX sperm, except in VERY rare mutations, the boy babies make X's and Y's...mom gives the other X.)