Male

What Is a Male?

A male is one of the two main sexes in many living things. Males make tiny cells called sperm. These sperm join with a larger cell from a female, called an ovum or egg, to make a new organism. This joining is called fertilisation.

The symbol for male is ♂. It looks like a circle with an arrow pointing up and to the right. This symbol comes from the planet Mars.

How Males Are Made

Most male animals, like humans, have a special part inside their cells called a Y chromosome. This helps their bodies make a hormone called testosterone. Testosterone helps make the parts that create sperm.

In people, the word male can also talk about how someone sees themselves. This is called gender role or gender identity. It is different from being a male biologically.

Males in Nature

In many animals, males look different from females. For example, male birds often have bright, colorful feathers to attract females. Male mammals, like humans, are often larger and have more muscle. These traits help males find mates.

Even simple plants and tiny water creatures can have male and female parts. This difference helps living things have babies and keep their species going.