Final answer:
Human males are heterogametic and produce two types of gametes (X or Y chromosome), while human females are homogametic and produce gametes with only the X chromosome. Sex in mammals is determined by the presence of XX chromosomes in females and XY chromosomes in males. The answer is a) Heterogametic, homogametic.
Step-by-step explanation:
Human males, with XY chromosomes are heterogametic, and produce two different kinds of gametes, whereas females with XX chromosomes are homogametic, and produce only one kind of gamete. This is because in human sexual reproduction, the gametes produced by males (sperm) can either contain an X or a Y chromosome.
However, the gametes produced by females (ova) always contain an X chromosome. The distinction between homogametic and heterogametic is used to describe whether the sex can produce one type (homogametic) or two types (heterogametic) of gametes in terms of the sex chromosomes they contain.
In mammals, including humans, sex determination is by the XY sex-determination system, where the presence of XX chromosomes denotes females, and XY denotes males. In this system, the Y chromosome carries genes that are responsible for the development of male characteristics, and its absence leads to the development of female characteristics. Errors in meiosis, such as nondisjunction, can lead to aberrations like XXY or XYY in males, and XXX in females.
The correct option answer in the final answer is: a) Heterogametic, homogametic.