Cards (37)

  • What are chromosomes made from?
    DNA
  • What do genes determine in a living thing?
    Characteristics of the living thing
  • How many chromosomes are in the human body?
    46 chromosomes
  • How are chromosomes arranged in the human body?
    Into 23 pairs
  • What does the 23rd pair of chromosomes determine?
    Biological sex
  • What is the chromosomal structure for females?
    XX
  • What is the chromosomal structure for males?
    XY
  • What chromosome do all normal egg cells have?
    X chromosome
  • What chromosomes do sperm carry?
    X or Y chromosome
  • How is a baby's sex determined?
    By the sperm that fertilizes the egg
  • What happens if the fertilizing sperm carries an X chromosome?
    The baby will be female
  • What happens if the fertilizing sperm carries a Y chromosome?
    The baby will be male
  • What gene does the Y chromosome carry?
    SRY gene
  • What does the SRY gene cause to develop?
    Testes in an XY embryo
  • What do testes produce?
    Androgens: male sex hormones
  • What role do chromosomes play in gender development?
    They initially determine a person's sex
  • How do hormones influence gender development?
    They act upon brain and reproductive organ development
  • What triggers the development of secondary sexual characteristics at puberty?
    A burst of hormonal activity
  • What are androgens important for?
    Male development
  • What is the most widely known androgen?
    Testosterone
  • What does testosterone control during fetal development?
    Development of male sex organs
  • What happens if a genetic male produces no testosterone during fetal development?
    No male sex organs appear
  • What can happen if a genetic female produces high levels of testosterone during fetal development?
    Male sex organs may appear
  • What is the evolutionary explanation for high levels of testosterone?
    Linked to aggression for mating competition
  • Why is aggression considered adaptive in males?
    It helps compete for mating opportunities
  • What does oestrogen determine?
    Female sexual characteristics and menstruation
  • What emotional effects can oestrogen cause in women?
    Heightened emotionality and irritability
  • What is premenstrual tension (PMT)?
    Emotional symptoms before menstruation
  • How has PMS been used in legal cases?
    As a defense in shoplifting and murder
  • What do some researchers dispute about PMS?
    Its existence as a viable medical category
  • What hormone do women typically produce in larger amounts than men?
    Oxytocin
  • What does oxytocin stimulate?
    Lactation for breastfeeding
  • What effect does oxytocin have on cortisol?
    Reduces the stress hormone cortisol
  • Why is oxytocin referred to as the 'love hormone'?
    It facilitates bonding between mother and child
  • When is oxytocin released in massive quantities?
    During labour and after childbirth
  • What stereotype has been fueled by men's lower oxytocin production?
    Men are less interested in intimacy
  • What does evidence suggest about oxytocin production during amorous activities?
    Both sexes produce it in roughly equal amounts