Final answer:
A human sperm cell receives autosomes and either an X or Y chromosome, determining the genetic sex of the offspring. When it fuses with a female oocyte during fertilization, a zygote with 46 chromosomes (22 autosomes and 2 sex chromosomes) forms, initiating development.
Step-by-step explanation:
A human sperm cell receives autosomes and either an X or a Y chromosome. These sex chromosomes determine the genetic sex of the offspring. In the context of reproduction, a sperm cell is a haploid gamete which means it contains one set of chromosomes: 22 autosomes and one sex chromosome. During the process of fertilization, a sperm cell fuses with an oocyte, the female gamete, which also carries 22 autosomes and one X chromosome. The zygote that forms as a result of this union will have two complete sets of chromosomes, for a total of 46 chromosomes. If the sperm carries an X chromosome, the resulting child will be female (XX), and if it carries a Y chromosome, the child will be male (XY).
Autosomes are the chromosomes that contain genes for characteristics unrelated to sex determination. A human cell normally has 46 chromosomes, which includes 44 autosomes and 2 sex chromosomes. However, a sperm cell, being haploid, carries only half of this number, which includes 22 autosomes and 1 sex chromosome.