Atypical chromosome development

• What are the two atypical chromosome patterns

  Klinefelters and turners syndrome
• Outline klinefelters syndrome

  affects about 1 in 600 males and are biological males with an extra X chromosome, meaning their structure is XXY. It is believed that around two thirds of people who have Klinefelter's are unaware of it. Physical characteristics include reduced body hair, long limbs, some breast development, undeveloped genitals and problems with co-ordination. Psychological characteristics include poor language and reading skills, being passive and shy, having a lack of interest in sexual activity and problems with executive functioning, such as problem solving.
• Outline Turner's syndrome

  affects around 1 in 5000 biological women who have only one X chromosome, meaning their structure is referred to as X0. They only have 45 chromosomes instead of 46. Their physical characteristics include having no menstrual cycle, being infertile due to having no ovaries, a broad shield like chest with no breasts, low set ears and a webbed neck, hips around the same size as their waist and look similar to prepubescent girls. Psychological characteristics include a higher than average reading ability, poor spatial, visual memory and math skills as well as being socially immature.
• What are the strengths of research into atypical chromosomes

  Nature nurture debate

  
  

  RWA
• Elaborate on nature nurture as a strength of research into atypical chromosomes

  A strength of research into these types of atypical sex chromosome patterns is that can contribute to the nature-nurture debate. Studying those with these syndromes and comparing them to those who have typical sex chromosomes can aid our understanding of what types of behaviours are innate e.g. verbal ability. Therefore, this gives us a better understanding of the relative contributions of nature-nurture to human behaviour.
• Elaborate on RWA as a strength of research into atypical chromosomes

  Research into these syndromes has helped to identify cases much earlier and so an earlier diagnosis can improve the management of symptoms. Those who are treated early tend to gain significant benefit in manging their symptoms (Herlihy et al., 2011). Therefore, this suggests that research into atypical sex chromosome patterns has good application and implications for the real world.
• What are the weaknesses of research into atypical chromosomes

  Only symptoms of worse sufferers are recorded

  
  

  Not beneficial to everyone
• Elaborate on only worse symptoms are recorded as a weakness for research into atypical chromosomes


  However, many of those with atypical patterns are not diagnosed and so only the symptoms of the most severe cases are recorded. Boada et al. (2009) found many Klinefelter's sufferers do not have significant problems and are highly successful in life. This suggests this research may not be as useful in understanding the nature-nurture debate as previously thought.
• Elaborate on not beneficial to everyone as a weakness of research into atypical chromosomes

  Despite early diagnosis being beneficial to some sufferers, it may not be beneficial to all. Around two thirds of those with Klinefelter's Syndrome are unaware they have it and if they did then they may act out a self fulfilling prophecy. This is where we begin to act out our 'label' and put limits on our perceived abilities. Therefore, some would argue that having a diagnosis may be helpful to some but not to others.