atypical sex chromosome patterns

• KLINEFELTERS SYNDROME

  • affects 1 in 600 males
  • XXY sex chromosomes patterns
  • physical characteristics: tall stature, weak muscle tone, infertility, reduced body hair, breast development, rounding, long limbs, underdeveloped genitals, lack of coordination.
  • psychological characteristics: poor language skills, poor reading ability, passive, shy, lack interest in sexual activity, not respond well to stressful situations, memory loss, struggle problem solving
• TURNER SYNDROME

  • affects 1 in 5000 females
  • caused by the absence of now of the 2 allocated XX chromosomes, referred to as XO, therefore have 45 chromosomes instead of 46
  • physical characteristics: no menstrual cycle, lacks development of ovaries, infertile, broad chest, low set ears, webbed neck, high waist to hip ratio, physically immature.
  • psychological characteristics: higher than average reading ability, poor spatial awareness, visual memory and maths skills, socially immature, can't relate to peers
• EVALUATION OF ATYPICAL SEX CHROMOSOMES

  • strength - contributes to nature-nurture debate. supports view that innate 'nature' influences have powerful effect on psychology and behaviour.
  • strength - real world application to managing the syndromes
  • Australian study of 87 individuals who was treated by a young age experienced benefits when managing their syndrome (Herlihy et al 2011), suggest increased awareness of atypical chromosomes patterns.
• EVALUATION OF ATYPICAL SEX CHROMOSOMES

  • limitation - sampling issue, to identify characteristics u have to identify a large number of people to build a data base, suggesting it will be exaggerated.