Distinguish between the concepts of sexual differentiation and sex determination.

The journey of sex development begins at the genetic level, with the intricate dance of DNA sequencing playing a crucial role. Genetics in sex development refers to the inherited genetic information that determines an organism's sex characteristics. The key players are the alleles, or different versions of genes, which can influence whether an individual develops as male or female. For instance, genes on the Y chromosome, such as the SRY gene, are pivotal for male development, by initiating the formation of testes. In contrast, the absence of such determinants allows the default pathway of female development.

It's important to understand that while the presence of particular genes sets the stage for sex determination, genetics also influence sex differentiation through gene expression, impacting the development of sex-specific traits throughout an individual's life. Genetic factors contribute to a broad range of characteristics, from the reproductive organs to secondary sexual traits. This genetic influence is exhibited through complex networks, where genes interact with each other and the environment, ultimately shaping the developmental destiny of an organism in terms of sex.

Delving into the chromosomal basis of sex determination, sex chromosomes are distinct from the autosomes (non-sex chromosomes) and are principally involved in determining an organism's sex. Humans typically have two sex chromosomes out of the 23 pairs of chromosomes in each cell. There are two types: the X chromosome and the Y chromosome. The combination of these chromosomes (XX for females and XY for males) is what typically decides whether an individual will develop as male or female.

In mammals, the Y chromosome houses genes critical for male development—most notably, the sex-determining region Y (SRY) gene. This gene triggers the pathway that leads to male differentiation. However, it's not just the SRY gene that's important. Other genes located on the X and Y chromosomes, and how they interact with autosomal genes, contribute to the tapestry of genetic sex determination. Interestingly, not all organisms use X and Y chromosomes for sex determination—some use Z and W chromosomes, while others rely on environmental cues, underscoring the evolutionary diversity of this fundamental process.

When unpacking the symphony of sexual differentiation, hormone signals conduct the orchestra of gene expression. Gene expression in sex development is a dynamic process, where genes are turned 'on' or 'off' in response to hormonal signals. Androgens and estrogens, two families of sex hormones, play center stage in directing the differentiation pathways. Androgens like testosterone are typically associated with male traits, such as muscle mass and body hair, while estrogens can promote the development of female characteristics like breast tissue.

What's fascinating is the feedback loop between hormones and gene expression. Hormones not only influence the activity of genes but genes also regulate hormone production and responsiveness. For example, certain genes dictate how sensitive a developing tissue is to testosterone, which can then determine the degree of its masculine features. This interplay ensures that sexual differentiation is a finely-tuned process, governed by a network of genetic and hormonal cues that together craft the biological differences between males and females.