06_Sexual Development

Question 1

Primary sources of sex hormones

Answer 1

Pituitary gland

Gonads (ovaries and testes)

Question 2

Pituitary Gland:

Sexual development hormone

Answer 2

Gonadotropic hormone

Question 3

Hormones secreted by the ovaries

Answer 3

Estrogen

Progesterone

Question 4

Hormones secreted by the testes

Answer 4

Two types of androgens:

Testosterone

Androstenedione

Question 5

True or false?

Estrogen and androgen are secreted by both sexes

Answer 5

True.

Females produce more estrogen

Males produce more androgens

Question 6

Timeline of sexual differentiation

Answer 6

6 to 8 weeks after conception

Differentiation of gonads into male testes or female ovaries

Question 7

Sexual differentiation during Fetal Development:

Initial and subsequent factors

Answer 7

Initial differentiation = sex chromosomes

Subsequent development = hormonal exposure

Question 8

Result of a lack of androgen

Answer 8

Female pattern of development in both genetic males and females

Question 9

Adrenogenital Syndrome

Answer 9

Genetic female exposed to early androgen

Male reproductive organs and tomboyish behaviors

*NO increased tendency for homosexuality

Question 10

Sexual Dimorphism

Answer 10

There are sex-related differences in the physical appearance of the human brain

E.g. sex-related differences in size of corpus callosum, hippocampus, and SCN

Question 11

Sexual dimorphism:

Cause

Answer 11

Differential exposure to androgens during prenatal and early postnatal development

Question 12

Sexual dimorphism:

Example of male-female disparity

Answer 12

Visual spatial tasks

Verbal tasks

Question 13

Puberty

Answer 13

Increase in gonadal hormones

Emergence of secondary sex characteristics

Development of the reproductive system

Question 14

Secondary Sex Characteristics:

Triggering mechanism

Answer 14

Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis

Question 15

Adult Sexual Behavior:

Humans vs. Lower Animals

Answer 15

Sex hormones play extremely important role in lower animals

As one ascends the phylogenetic scale, sex hormones become increasingly less important

Learning and experience become more important

Question 16

True or False?

There is a predictable relationship between estrogen or progesterone on female libido

Answer 16

False

*menopause and ovariectomy also have little to no effect

Question 17

True or False?

Androgen is more effective than estrogen for restoring sexual arousal and orgasm for women following menopause

Answer 17

true

Question 18

Effects of androgen deficits on human males

Answer 18

Link between testosterone levels and sexual interest and appetite

However no strong relationship past a minimum threshold of testosterone levels

Also No relationship to erectile functioning

Question 19

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Answer 19

Reduce negative effects associated with menopause

Effective for eliminating hot flashes, mood swings, and vaginal dryness

No evidence of increased libido

Question 20

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT):

Associated increased risks

Answer 20

Blood clots

Stroke

Breast cancer