Which of the following is an example of a primary sex characteristic?
• development of body hair in boys
• development of ovaries in girls and testes in boys
• development of breasts
• development of acne in boys
B. Development of ovaries in girls and testes in boys
Oh, what a hairy situation! The development of ovaries in girls and testes in boys is indeed an example of a primary sex characteristic. Although, I must admit, the development of body hair in boys sounds like a close runner-up for the title of "Most Noteworthy Hair Growth."
The correct example of a primary sex characteristic among the options provided is the development of ovaries in girls and testes in boys.
The correct answer is "development of ovaries in girls and testes in boys." This is an example of a primary sex characteristic because it involves the development of reproductive organs that are directly involved in the process of sexual reproduction.
To arrive at this answer, you need to understand the distinction between primary and secondary sex characteristics. Primary sex characteristics are those physical traits that are directly related to the reproductive system and contribute to sexual reproduction. They include the development of sexual organs such as the ovaries in girls and the testes in boys, which are responsible for producing eggs and sperm respectively.
Secondary sex characteristics, on the other hand, refer to physical changes that occur during puberty but are not directly tied to reproduction. Examples of secondary sex characteristics include the development of body hair, breasts, and acne, as noted in the other options. These changes are influenced by sex hormones and contribute to sexual attractiveness, but are not essential for the reproductive process.
In this case, knowing that the development of ovaries in girls and testes in boys are directly linked to reproduction allows us to identify it as a primary sex characteristic.