Atypical sex chromosome patterns Flashcards
what is Klinefelter’s syndrome
-affects 1 in 500 to 1 in 1000 people.
-Males
-additional X chromosome (XXY)
-Some identified Pre-natal (~10%)
-~2/3 are unaware they have it
what’re the physical characteristics of Klinefelter’s syndrome
-less body hair than ‘normal’ male
-breast tissue development at puberty
-softened/rounded body shape
-long gangly limbs
-underdeveloped genitals
-impaired coordination
-general clumsiness
what is Turner’s syndrome
~1 in 5000 females
-absence of the X chromosome (X0)
-45 chromosomes rather than 46
what’re the physical characteristics of Turner’s syndrome
-absence of menstrual cycle (amenorrhoea)
-ovaries don’t develop properly and so sterile
-no breast development at puberty
-low set ears and a webbed neck
-hips are much bigger than the waist
-looks physically immature
what’re the psychological characteristics of Turner’s syndrome
-above average reading ability
-lower spatial, visual and mathematical abilities
- socially immature and trouble relating to peers
what’re 2 strengths of Atypical chromosome patterns
logical inference
beneficial practicality from research
how is logical inference a support of Atypical chromosome patterns
-by comparing normal and atypical people, behavioural/psychological differences can be seen.
-can be logically inferred that the differences have a direct biological basis from the chromosome structure
-studies suggest that innate ‘nature’ influences have a powerful effect on both psychology and behaviour
how are beneficial applications a strength of atypical chromosome patterns
-continued research can lead to earlier/more accurate diagnoses, as well as more positive future outcomes
-an Australian study with 87 Klinefelter’s syndrome people showed that those identified/treated from a very young age had significant benefits compared to those in adulthood
-increased awareness of the conditions may have practical applications
what’re 2 limitations of atypical chromosome patterns
leaping to ‘causal’ conclusions
unusual/unrepresentative sample
how is leaping to ‘causal’ conclusions a weakness of atypical chromosome patterns
-the behaviour is not causal and it may be that environmental/social influences are more responsible for the behavioural differences seen
-eg social immaturity seen in females with Turner’s syndrome may be from being treated ‘immaturely’ by people around them, such as parents and teachers due to their pre-pubescent appearance in a way that encourages immaturity and may affect their school performance
-this shows that assuming the behavioural and psychological differences seen to be due to nature is wrong
how is the unrepresentative sample of people a limitation of atypical chromosome patterns
-the individuals look different and so are likely to be treated differently by peers, which may make assessing the relative contribution of nature and nurture in terms of behavioural/psychological differences difficult
-this leads to a lack of generalisability from atypical individuals to the wider population
