8.1 Chapter Objectives

In the following discussion of sex and gender, our goals are for you to realize that sex and gender are related, but distinct; and to understand that sex and gender are expressed in many ways, in an array of living organisms. By the end of your reading and our in-class discussion, you will be able to:

1. Define the following terms:
   • sex
     • female
     • male
   • gender
     • gender non-conforming
     • cis and trans
   • isogamous
   • anisogamous
   • sex determination
   • chromosomal
   • environmental
   • sex differentiation
   • hermaphroditism
   • outcrossing
   • selfing
2. Describe differences between the concepts and terminology for sex and gender.
3. Cite examples of the non-binary nature of gender in humans and non-human animals.
4. List factors that determine sex in a variety of organisms.
5. Explain how sex determination and differentiation occurs in humans.
6. Discuss types of variation in human sex characteristics
7. Apply knowledge of human sex determination to scenarios to determine likely sex phenotype.
8. Explain some evolutionary pros and cons of hermaphroditism and why it exists in some plants and animals.