Atypical Sex chromosome patterns

Question 1

Define Atypical sex chromosome patterns

Answer 1

Any sex chromosome that deviates from the usual XX or XY formation and which tends to be associated with a distinct pattern of physical and psychological symptoms.

Question 2

2 examples pf atypical sex chromosome combinations

Answer 2

Klinefelter’s
Turner’s

Question 3

Define Klinefelter’s syndrome

Answer 3

A syndrome that affects 1/600 males. They have XXY sex chromosomes, thin physique and small infertile testes. and enlarged breasts. HAVE 47 CHROMOSOMES RATHER THAN 46.

Question 4

Physical characteristics of Klinefelters syndrome

Answer 4

Reduced body hair, breast development, underdeveloped genitals, long limbs and poor coordination. Prone to health problems usually affecting females e.g. breast cancer.

Question 5

Psychological characteristics of Klinefelter’s syndrome

Answer 5

Poor memory, problem solving, language and reading skills. - struggle in school.
Lack of interest in sexual activity.

Question 6

Define Turner’s syndrome

Answer 6

A chromosomal disorder, which affects 1/2000 women.
Only have one X chromosome causing developmental abnormalities and infertility. THEY HAVE 45 CHROMOCOMES RATHER THAN 46.

Question 7

When does it become obvious

Answer 7

Usually birth due to physical characteristics: low set ears and a ‘webbed’ neck.

Question 8

Physical characteristics of Turner’s syndrome

Answer 8

No menstrual cycle- failure to develop ovaries at puberty.
retain appearance of girls rather than women.

Question 9

Psychological characteristics in Turner’s syndrome

Answer 9

Higher than average reading ability.
physically immature often socially immature and find difficult to fit in with peers.

Question 10

Strength of Atypical sex chromosome patterns

Answer 10

Nature-nurture debate-,
studies of atypical sex chromosome patterns contribute to understanding of nature-nurture debate in gender development.
Girls with Turners syndrome have higher verbal ability than girls without- biological basis for behaviours associated with atypical chromosome patterns Useful to parents to know cause is nature, so can give support rather than having false hope situation can be changed.

Question 11

Another strength of atypical chromosome patterns

Answer 11

Practical application- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
used to benefit people with atypical chromosome patterns.
Testosterone given to Klinefelters males when they reach puberty- deepens voice, strengthens bones and stimulates hair growth.

Turner’s females given oestrogen at puberty to start beast development, and progesterone to begin periods and keep womb healthy.

Question 12

Weakness of atypical chromosome pattern

Answer 12

Cause and effect- difficult to establish between atypical sex chromosome patterns and certain behaviours.
Turners girls- socially immature but may be because they look childlike so treated that way.
So behaviour may be due to environmental factors rather than chromosomal patterns.

Question 13

Another weakness of atypical chromosome patterns

Answer 13

Lacks population validity-difficult to generalise atypical individual’s to wider population because small unsual sample- unrepresentative.