Sex

Sex refers to the biological differentiation into male and female, a system intrinsic to most multicellular organisms that reproduce sexually. Tracing its origins 4.6 to 3.5 billion years ago, DNA forms a continuous, unbroken lineage through sexual reproduction, transmitting genetic information to the present day.

Definitions and Terminology

• Sex is primarily understood in biological terms, referring to male and female duality essential for reproduction. It's distinct from gender, which is more related to identity and sociocultural constructs. The primary distinction between sexes is in the production of gametes: the female sex produces larger gametes and usually bears offspring.

This classification emphasizes the reproductive function, disassociating from sexuality or behavioral nuances. However, in specific creatures, like earthworms, sex might be related to certain body parts since they are naturally hermaphroditic.

Plants and Sexuality

While plants are also dichotomously sexual, the terminologies become nuanced due to variances in reproductive modes. Flowers in angiosperms, for instance, are the gamete bearers. Some flowers might have one type of gamete, while others have both.

Fungi and Multicellular Life

In certain fungi, especially within the Basidiomycota division, sexual attributes are multifaceted, sometimes involving more than two sexes. More details can be explored under articles on Hypha and Plasmogamy.

Sex in Humans

Human sex is conventionally dichotomous, delineated as female or male. Yet, when dissected further, the assignment of 'sex' transpires across multifarious levels, shaped by environmental, biological, psychological, and sociocultural facets.

Main article: Human sexuality - Encompassing sexual activities, sensations, and intimacies among humans.

Levels of Sexual Differentiation

Several criteria define the differences between male and female in humans. Some are dichotomous, while others exhibit sexual dimorphism – traits statistically predominant in one sex.

Primary sexual characteristics: Present from birth, they directly concern reproduction. Secondary sexual characteristics: These appear during puberty and are not directly involved in reproduction. For a deeper understanding, one can delve into the chain reaction of biological sex differentiation, from the presence of specific chromosomes to societal norms.

Discordance in Sex and Gender

Not all humans adhere strictly to the conventional male/female dichotomy across every criterion. Such disparities, or 'discordances,' arise due to the myriad of determinants shaping human sexuality.

Biological Discordance

Some discordances, such as incongruities between genetic sex and anatomical sex, are biological. These are often labeled as intersex conditions.

Main article: Intersex – Comprehensive exploration of intersex conditions.

Psychological and Behavioral Discordance

A significant proportion of humans may exhibit discordance in behavioral or psychological dimensions. Responses to these deviations range widely across societies, from suppression to acceptance and even celebration.

Pictorial representations often amplify sexual dimorphism, as seen in restroom signs. These depictions might be confined by cultural norms, leading to issues like cross-dressing being sanctioned in some cultures but accepted in others.

See also: berdache, hijra, xanith, and transgender.

Certain scholars argue that sex, as we understand it, is a societal construct. In challenging conventional binaries, Anne Fausto-Sterling proposed five sexes, illustrating the complexity of sex and gender categorizations.

Social and Legal Implications

Legal and societal frameworks have often been structured around biological sex, leading to distinctions or discrimination. With evolving societal norms, particularly in Western societies, there has been a shift towards increased gender equality and understanding.

Heteronormativity, in gender theory, posits that human beings naturally fall into male or female categories with inherent roles.

See also

• Evolution of sex
• Human sexuality
• List of gender names
• Mammalian gestation
• Sexual differentiation
• Sex ratio
• sexual intercourse
• oral sex