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What do we look at when determining sex based on the CRANIUM?

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Final answer:

Sex based on the cranium is determined by observing morphological features such as brow ridges and orbital cavity shapes, but this method is not conclusive. Biological sex determination is primarily based on sex chromosomes, and both biological and social factors influence gender and sexual behavior.

Step-by-step explanation:

When determining sex based on the cranium, forensic anthropologists and biologists observe several morphological features. The overall size and shape of the cranium, as well as the presence of certain features, such as the prominence of the brow ridges, the shape of the orbital cavities, and the size of the mastoid processes, can provide indications of biological sex. However, it's important to note that biological sex determination through skeletal analysis isn’t conclusive and there is considerable variation. In modern medicine and biology, sex determination in humans is fundamentally dictated by the presence of sex chromosomes, where females have XX chromosomes and males have XY chromosomes. Furthermore, the question of sex and gender is complex, involving not only biological but also social and cultural factors. The assertion that behavioral differences between males and females are minimal and likely influenced by society rather than biology aligns with this complexity. Additionally, organ development from primitive gonads is directed by hormones such as testosterone, which guide the differentiation into male or female reproductive systems.

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