|
| | |
Sex
Sex An individual's gender classification - male or female.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Gender
One's personal, social, and legal status as male or female, or mixed, on the basis of somatic and behavioral criteria more inclusive than the genital criterion and/or erotic criterion alone.
Female
The traditional definition of female was "an individual of the sex that bears young" or "that produces ova or eggs". However, things are not so simple today. Female can be defined by physical appearance, by chromosome constitution (see Female chromosome complement), or by gender identification. Female chromosome complement: The large majority of females have a 46, XX chromosome complement (46 chromosomes including two X chromosomes). A minority of females have other chromosome constitutions such as 45,X (45 chromosomes including only one X chromosome) and 47,XXX (47 chromosomes including three X chromosomes).
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Semen
The fluid containing sperm (the male reproductive cells) that is expelled (ejaculated) through the end of the penis when the man reaches sexual climax (orgasm).
Sperm
A sperm cell, or spermatozoon (pl. spermatozoa) (in Greek: sperm = semen and zoon = alive), is the haploid cell that is the male gamete. It is carried in fluid called semen, and is capable of fertilising an egg cell to form a zygote. A zygote can grow into a new organism, such as a human. Sperm cells contain half of the genetic information needed to create life. Generally, the sex of the offspring is determined by the sperm, through the chromosomal pair "XX" (for a female) or "XY" (for a male).
Spermatozoon
(plural, spermatozoa) The male gamete; a haploid, usually small, flagellated cell.
Spermatozoa
(singular, spermatozoon) The male gamete; a haploid, usually small, flagellated cell.
Skin
Skin is an organ of the integumentary system; which is composed of a layer of tissues that protect underlying muscles and organs. Skin is used for insulation, vitamin D production, sensation, and excretion (through sweat).
Sex
Second Messenger
Molecules that are synthesized in response to hormones binding to their receptors. Second messengers initiate the biological action of the hormone.
Serotonin
A neurotransmitter important in filtering out information. If its levels are low, it can be the underlying cause of depression and violence.
Sibling
One of two or more individuals having at least one common parent.
Spinal cord
The ovoid column of nervous tissue, extending from the medulla to the second lumbar vertebra in the spinal canal. All nerves to the trunk and limbs issue from the spinal cord, the center of reflex action containing conducting paths to and from the brain. Sensory neurons enter posteriorly; motor nerves arise anteriorly.
Schizophrenia
Any of a group of psychotic disorders usually characterized by withdrawal from reality, illogical patterns of thinking, delusions, and hallucinations, and accompanied in varying degrees by other emotional, behavioral, or intellectual disturbances. Schizophrenia is associated with dopamine imbalances in the brain and defects of the frontal lobe and is caused by genetic, other biological, and psychosocial factors. It is mainly treated by antipsychotic drugs which block Dopamine receptors such as Haloperidol.
We thank you for using the Health Dictionary to search for Sex. If you have a better definition for Sex than the one presented here, please let us know by making use of the suggest a term option. This definition of Sex may be disputed by other professionals. Our attempt is to provide easy definitions on Sex and any other medical topic for the public at large.This dictionary contains 25007 terms. |
|
|
