Atypical chromosome patterns

• 2 types of Atypical sex chromosomes:

  • Klinefelter's syndrome
  • Turner's syndrome
• What is Kinefilter's syndrome?

  Biological males that have an additional X chromosome
• Physical characteristics of Klinefelter syndrome:

  • reduced body hair
  • possible breast development
  • Softening and rounding body contours
  • underdeveloped genitals
  • problem with co-ordination
• Psychological characteristics of Klinefelter's syndrome:

  • poor language skills and reading ability
  • passive, shy and lack sexual activity
  • memory and problem solving
• What is Turner's syndrome?

  biological females that have an absence of one of the two allotted X chromosomes - XO
• Physical characteristics of Turner's syndrome:

  • No menstrual cycle as their ovaries fail to develop
  • Do not develop breasts and instead have a broad 'shield chest'
  • low set ears and webbed neck
  • hips are not that much bigger than the waist
  • physically immature
• Psychological characteristics of Turner's syndrome:

  • higher than average reading ability
  • struggles with spacial, visual and mathematical tasks
  • socially immature and have trouble fitting in
• A beneficial contribution to the nature-nurture debate:

  By comparing people who have these conditions with chromosome-typical individuals it becomes possible to see psychological and behavioural differences between the two groups

  • might be inferred that these differences have a biological basis and are a direct result of abnormal chromosomal structure
  • suggesting that innate influences have a powerful effect on psychological behaviour
• Ignoring environmental explanations:

  the differences in behaviour seen in these individuals are not causal.

  • it may be that environmental and social influences are more responsible for the behavioural differences
  • socially immaturity observed in females with Turner's syndrome may arise from the fact they are treated immaturely
• practical application:

  continued research into atypical sex chromosome patterns is likely to lead to earlier and more accurate diagnosis.

  • those who are identified and treated from a very young age had significant benefits compared to those who had been diagnosed in adulthood
  • increased awareness of these conditions may have practical application