atypical sex chromosome patterns

• atypical sex chromosome patterns

  any sex chromosome pattern that deviates from the usual XX/XY formation and which tends to be associated with a distinct pattern of physical and psychological symptoms
• Klinefelter's syndrome

  affects male when an individual genotype has an extra X chromosome characterised by a tall thin physique, small infertile testes and enlarged breasts
• Turner's syndrome

  A chromosomal disorder in which affected women have only one X chromosome causing developmental abnormalities and infertility
• Klinefelter's syndrome

  • 1 in 600 biological males
  • additional X chromosome - XXY
  • 2/3 of people who have Klinefelter's may not know
• Klinefelter's - physical characteristics

  • reduces body hair
  • breast development - softening and rounding of body contours
  • long gangly limbs
  • underdeveloped genitals
  • reduced body hair
  • problems with co-ordination
  • clumsiness

  
• Klinefelter's - psychological characteristics

  • poorly developed language skills and reading ability
  • passive, shy
  • lack interest in sexual activity
  • don't respond well to stressful situations
  • bad memory and problem solving
• Turner's syndrome

  • 1 in 5000 biological females
  • absence of one X chromosome - XO
• Turner's - physical characteristics

  • no menstrual cycle - ovaries dont develop
  • do not develop breasts - broad shield chest
  • low set ears
  • webbed neck
  • high waist-to-hip ratio
  • physically immature

  
• Turner's - psychological characteristics

  • higher than average reading ability
  • socially immature
  • trouble fitting in
• AO3 - atypical sex chromosome patterns - strength

  P: contribution to the nature-nurture debate

  E: Able to see psychological and behavioural differences between chromosome-typical and chromosome-atypical - Klinefelter boys are more passive than typical boys

  E: Shows these differences have a biological basis - result of abnormal chromosomal structure

  L: supports the view that innate nature influences have powerful effect on behaviour
• AO3 - atypical sex chromosome patterns - strength

  P: real world application - managing the syndromes

  E: Australian study - 87 individuals with Klinefelter's showed that those identified and treated at young age experienced signif. benefits compared to those who had been diagnosed in adulthood

  E: continued research into atypical sex chromosomes is likely to lead to earlier and more accurate diagnoses of Turners and klinefelters syndromes - more positive outcomes

  L: increased awareness holds useful real-world application
• AO3 - atypical sex chromosome patterns - nature counterpoint

  P: the relationship between the atypical chromosomal patterns and the difference in behaviour seen in the individuals is not causal

  E: environmental and social influences are more responsible for the behavioural differences observed - social immaturity seen in females with Turner's may arise from the fact they are treated immaturely because of their appearance

  E: this encourages immature behaviour- impacts their performance at school

  L: wrong to assume the psychological and behavioural differences are due to nature