Men and women have 23 pairs of chromosomes. They share 22 of them. In physiologic conditions they differ systematically in only one pair, the sexual one. Females (normally) have what is called an “XX” on the 23rd pair of chromosomes, whereas males have an “XY” pair.
In general terms, “sex” refers to the biological differences between males and females, such as the genitalia and genetic differences. “Gender” is more difficult to define, but it can refer to the role of a male or female in society, known as a gender role, or an individual's concept of themselves, or gender identity.
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Men and women have 23 pairs of chromosomes. They share 22 of them. In physiologic conditions they differ systematically in only one pair, the sexual one. Females (normally) have what is called an “XX” on the 23rd pair of chromosomes, whereas males have an “XY” pair.
In general terms, “sex” refers to the biological differences between males and females, such as the genitalia and genetic differences. “Gender” is more difficult to define, but it can refer to the role of a male or female in society, known as a gender role, or an individual's concept of themselves, or gender identity.