atypical sex chromosome patterns

• what are the two syndromes caused by the atypical patterns

  • klinefelter's syndrome
  • turner's syndrome
• what is the chromosome structure in klinefelters syndrome

  XXY
• physical characteristics of klinefelters syndrome

  • reduced body hair
  • breast development
  • undeveloped genitals
  • are susceptible to health conditions which are more commonly found in women such as breast cancer
• psychological characteristics of klinefelters syndrome

  • poorly developed language skills and reading ability
  • passive and shy
  • lack interest in sexual activity
• chromosome pattern of turners syndrome

  XO

  • affected individuals have 45 chromosomes opposed to 46 like normal
• physical characteristics of turners syndrome

  • don't have a menstrual cycle as their ovaries fail to develop
  • don't develop breasts during puberty
  • low set ear and a webbed neck
  • physically immature and retain the appearance of pre pubescent girls
• psychological characteristics of turners syndrome

  • higher than average reading ability
  • performance on maths , spatial and visual memory is lower than normal
  • are socially immature, so they have trouble relating to their peers
• practical application

  • research into atypical chromosome patterns is likely to lead to earlier and more accurate diagnosis of klinefelters and turners syndrome and more positive outcomes in the future
  • study is individuals with klinefelters syndrome showed that those who had been diagnosed and treated from a young age had significantly better outcomes than those who had been treated adulthood
• allows for further research

  • researchers are able to compare those with atypical chromosomes to people with typical chromosomes
  • this enables researchers to investigate the biological origin for sexual development and gendered behaviour
  • suggests genetic make up has an influence on psychology and behaviour
• cannot easily draw conclusion

  • this doesn't determine cause and effect
  • social and environmental reasons may be the cause for the observed differences
  • e.g. girls with turners syndrome are socially immature, however this may be the environmental result of how they are treated due to their physically immature appearance