Final answer:
A zygote with an X chromosome from the mother and a Y chromosome from the father will become male, with the chromosome combination being XY. This 23rd chromosome pair determines the sex, with females having XX and males having XY. Other combinations like XXY or XYY can lead to different genetic conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering the 23rd chromosome pair, which consists of sex chromosomes, a zygote that inherits an X chromosome from the mother and a Y chromosome from the father will become male. The correct answer to the question of which chromosome combination results in a male is option B) XY. This pair is one of the 23 pairs of chromosomes present in humans, and it plays a crucial role in determining the sex of an individual. Females typically consist of two X chromosomes (XX), whereas males consist of one X and one Y chromosome (XY). The father's contribution of either an X or Y chromosome (50:50 chance) ultimately determines the sex of the baby. For clarification, any deviation from the typical XX or XY arrangement, such as XXY or XYY, can result in variations of sex genetics and may lead to conditions such as Klinefelter syndrome or XYY syndrome.