Chromosomes and hormones

• Chromosomes


  Play a fundamental role in determining an individual's sex
• Typical chromosome patterns


  • Females have two X chromosomes (XX)
  • Males have one X and one Y chromosome (XY)
• Testosterone


  • Promotes the development of male reproductive organs
  • Promotes secondary sexual characteristics such as facial hair and deepening of the voice
• Oestrogen


  • Contributes to the development of female reproductive organs
  • Contributes to secondary sexual features like breast development and regulation of the menstrual cycle
• Oxytocin


  • Known as the 'love hormone'
  • Plays a significant role in bonding
  • Social recognition
  • Childbirth
• Klinefelter's syndrome occurs in individuals with an extra X chromosome
• Klinefelter's syndrome


  Results in a genotype of XXY
• Klinefelter's syndrome physical characteristics

  • Reduced body hair
  • Enlarged breasts
  • Infertility
• Turner's syndrome involves females with only one X chromosome
• Turner's syndrome


  Results in a genotype of XO
• Turner's syndrome physical characteristics

  • Short stature
  • Webbed neck
  • Infertility
• Variations in sex chromosome patterns can lead to atypical development
• Understanding these conditions enriches our knowledge of human biology
• These conditions highlight the diversity within the spectrum of sex and gender
• The interplay of X and Y chromosomes influences sex and gender
• The influence of testosterone, oestrogen, and oxytocin shapes identities
• The intricate dance of genetics and hormones orchestrates the symphony of sex and gender in all its diversity