Which term describes features that differentiate the sexes but are not part of the reproductive organs?

Which term describes features that differentiate the sexes but are not part of the reproductive organs?

• A. Genetic sex
• B. Primary sexual characteristics
• C. Sexual dimorphism
• D. Secondary sexual characteristics

Answer: (D)

Traits that signal the sex but aren’t the gonads or other reproductive organs are called secondary sexual characteristics. These develop mainly at puberty under the influence of hormones and help differentiate males from females without being directly involved in reproduction. Think of a deeper voice, facial and body hair, and larger muscle mass in males, or breast development, wider hips, and different fat distribution in females. These features aren’t part of the reproductive organs themselves, which are primary sexual characteristics, and they’re distinct from the general idea of differences between the sexes in a species, which is described by sexual dimorphism. So, the term that fits is secondary sexual characteristics.

Traits that signal the sex but aren’t the gonads or other reproductive organs are called secondary sexual characteristics. These develop mainly at puberty under the influence of hormones and help differentiate males from females without being directly involved in reproduction. Think of a deeper voice, facial and body hair, and larger muscle mass in males, or breast development, wider hips, and different fat distribution in females. These features aren’t part of the reproductive organs themselves, which are primary sexual characteristics, and they’re distinct from the general idea of differences between the sexes in a species, which is described by sexual dimorphism. So, the term that fits is secondary sexual characteristics.