Atypical sex chromosome patterns

Cards (10)

  • Klinefelter syndrome -AO1
    - Result of atypical chromosome pattern in males
    - Affects 1 in 750
    - Men will have an extra X chromosome in addition to their normal XY chromosomes - 47 chromosomes
    - Diagnosis often occurs accidentally via a medical examination for an unrelated condition.
  • Psychological characteristics of klienfelter syndrome- AO1
    - Poorly developed language skills and reading ability
    - Passive, shy and lack interest in sexual activities
    - Don't respond well in stressful situations
    - Problems with memory and problem solving
  • Turners syndrome - AO1
    - 1 - 5000 biological females
    - Caused by the absence of one of the two X chromosomes
    - 45 chromosomes rather than 46
  • Physical characteristics of Turners syndrome - AO1
    - Don't have a menstrual cycle
    - Don't develop breasts in puberty - broad shiel chest
    '- Webbed neck'
    - High waist to hip ratio
    - Retain the appearance of pre-pubescent girls
  • Psychological characteristics of Turners syndrome - AO1
    - Higher than average reading ability
    - Performances on spatial, visual and mathematical tasks is low
    - Socially immature
    - Have trouble relating to their peers
  • Contribution to the nature and nurture event - 😊
    - Atypical sex chromosomes are useful in our understanding to the nature vs nurture debate
    - By comparing individuals who have these conditions with chromosome typical individuals we are able to see whether differences are due to biology or environment
    - e.g - People with turner syndrome tend to have higher verbal ability and talk more than 'typical girls'
    - Can conclude that this is a result of biological difference
  • Enviromental explanations - 🙁
    - The chromosome differences and changes in behaviour is not casual
    - Enviromental and social influences may be the cause
    - Social immaturity in girls with turner syndrome may be because they are treated immaturely by those around them
    - Parents, teachers and others may react to the pre-pubescent appearance and encourage immature treatment - may have a direct impact on their performance in school - poor performance in maths, low visual and spatial memory
    - Wrong to assume behaviur is only a result of nature
  • Practical application - 😊
    - Continued research into these syndromes may lead to more accurate and earlier diagnosis to allow for a more positive future.
    - Australian study done on 87 individuals with Kleinfelter syndrome showed that those who were treated earlier in life had more significant benefits compared to those diagnosed in adulthood
    - Allows for increased awareness on condition
  • Klinefelter's syndrome - chromosomes
    • XXY
    • Extra X chromosome
  • Turner's syndrome - chromosomes
    • X0
    • Absence of one X chromosome