The role of chromosomes and hormones in sex and gender A01

• Role of chromosomes  

  Chromosomes – affect our biological sex and this then affects how we are treated by other people which may in turn affect our gender development.
• Role of chromosomes  

  are found in the nucleus of living cells and carry information in the form of genes and it’s the 23rd pair of chromosomes that determines biological sex.
• Role of chromosomes  

  chromosomes are made from DNA and genes are short sections of DNA that determine the characteristics of living things
• Role of chromosomes  

  generally there are 46 chromosomes in the human body, and they are arranged into 23 pairs the last one determines our biological sex (sex chromosomes)

  -          XX = female XY = male

  -          All normal egg cells produced in the ovary have a X chromosome whereas half of the sperm carry an X chromosome and the other half carry Y chromosome, so the baby’s sex is determined by the sperm which fertilised the egg.
• Role of chromosomes  

    However sometimes this basic pattern is disrupted resulting in atypical sex patterns.
• Role of chromosomes  

  • The y chromosome carries a gene called SRY which stands for sex determining region Y and it’s this gene which causes testes to develop in an XY embryo and these then produce androgens which cause the embryo to become male without these it would become a female
• The typical chromosome patterns.

  Each person has 23 chromosomes in  each cell of their body and each of these chromosomes carried hundreds of genes contain instructions about physical and behavioural characteristics like eye colour and predisposition to certain mental illnesses
• The typical chromosome patterns.

  • there is open pair of chromosomes called sex chromosomes which determine an individual’s sex – females pair of sex chromosomes is called XX because both chromosomes are shaped like an X and the male pair is described as XY – the y chromosome does contain very little genetic material however it does determine a child’s sexthere is usually a link between an individuals sex chromosomes and their external genitalia and internal genitalia
• The typical chromosome patterns.

  Genetic transmission explains how individuals acquire sex and may also explain some aspects of gender because of the link between genes and genitalia and hormones.
• The typical chromosome patterns.

  during parental development all individuals start the same and a few weeks after conception both male and female embryos have external genitals that looks essentially feminine but when the foetus is around 3 months old id the foetus is to develop into a male the testes then normally produce the male hormone testosterone which then causes male genitals to developed
• Atypical sex chromosome patterns

  Typical sex chromosome patterns are any sex chromosome patterns that deviate from the usual XX or XY formation and they also tend to be associated with a distinct pattern of physical and psychological symptoms.
• Atypical sex chromosome patterns

  There are a variety of well recognised atypical patterns of sex chromosomes including Klinefelter’s syndrome and turner’s syndrome – these conditions cause differences psychological and physical.
• Klinefelter’s syndrome –

  -          Is a syndrome that affects 1 in 1000 men and approximately 2/3 people with this condition are not aware of it until it is diagnosed during a medical examination often because they are trying to have a baby with the partner, and she is not becoming pregnant?
• Klinefelter’s syndrome –

  -           the men that do suffer from this syndrome have XXY sex chromosomes.
• Klinefelter’s syndrome –

  • Physical characteristics – physical they look less masculine because of the reduced levels of testosterone They have a tall thin physique, small internal testes and enlarged breasts, reduced body hair, rounding of body contours underdeveloped genitals, poor coordination. they are also more prone to health problems that usually affects females like breast cancer.
• Klinefelter’s syndrome –

  Psychological characteristics – poor memory, problem solving and reading and language skills. they also tend to be shy passive and may lack interest in sexual activity, and they may also not respond well to stressful situations.
• Klinefelter’s syndrome –

  -          they also have 47 chromosomes rather than 46.

  -          Biologically these individuals are male because they have a Y chromosome.
• Turner syndrome

  -          Is a chromosomal disorder affecting 1 in every 2000 women?
• Turner syndrome

  -          Women with this disorder only have one X chromosome which accuses developmental abnormalities and infertility.
• Turner syndrome

  -          They have 45 chromosomes rather than 46.

  -          The sex chromosome pattern is referred to as XO

  -          The syndrome is usually oblivious at birth due to physical characteristics such as broad shield chest, low set ears and webbed neck.
• Turner syndrome

  -          Physical characteristics – they’re sterile and have no menstrual cycle as their ovaries fail to develop – individuals with this syndrome also do not developed breast during puberty and their hips are of similar size to their breasts so they tend to retain the appearance of a girl rather than a woman.
• Turner syndrome

  -          Psychological characteristics – people with this syndrome tend to have a higher-than-average reading ability however their performance on spatial mathematical and visual task is lower than most other womenas well as being physically immature they are also often social immature and find it difficult to fit in with their peers.