This is a wrong assesment. There are Why then do over 40 chromosomes remain present in a conceived ovum?

Question

I am simply asking whether a fertilized ovum is male or female? I believe that it is neither until after about 8 weeks of gestation. the Theory of it being female is wrong because it has not been proven outside a mother's womb and can be under the woman's Hormones which can test for female likeness. That's why I believe it to be only a theory.

Answer 1

> "I am simply asking whether a fertilized ovum is male or female?"

Genetically or physically?

Genetically, it is either male or female as soon as fertilisation occurs (as it will have their XY or XX immediately).

Physically, it is only male or female until development is well underway, and gender-specific organs start to develop.

> "I believe that it is neither until after about 8 weeks of gestation."

I don't know the timescale for organogenesis of the reproductive system in humans, I'm afraid. You could be right.

> "the Theory of it being female is wrong because it has not been proven outside a mother's womb and can be under the woman's Hormones which can test for female likeness."

Have you heard of Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Androgen_in...

This is a disorder where the embryo is genetically XY, but has a mutation in the receptor for androgenic hormones (like testosterone).

These androgens are signalled to be produced by genes on the Y chromosome, and they are responsible for signalling the development of male features. If the embryo cannot detect the presence of the androgens, then it develops along the "default" route into a female.

> "That's why I believe it to be only a theory."

Remember that EVERYTHING in science is "only a theory".

The atomic structure of matter, the limit of the speed of light, plate tectonics, the cell structure of life, the heliocentric model of the solar system (that we orbit the sun, not the other way around), etc. All of these are "only a theory".

Answer 2

What is your question?  Your statement/question doesn't make sense.

Answer 3

This is incorrect.  In the human, there are 46 chromosomes ( 1 pair of s*x chromosomes and 22 pairs of autosomes)  in the fertilized oocyte.