Atypical Sex Chromosome Patterns Flashcards
What is Klinefelter’s syndrome?
- A syndrome affecting males in which an individual’s genotype has an extra X chromosome in addition to normal XY (XXY)
- Characterised by a tall thin physique, small infertile testes & enlarged breasts
affects about 1 in 600 males- individuals who have this are biological males
What are the physical characteristics of Klinefelters syndrome?
Some of the effects of X chromosome include:
- Reduced body hair in comparison to an XY male
- May be some breast development at puberty
- & A softening or rounding of body contours
- Long gangly limbs
- Underdeveloped genitals
XXY men are also susceptible to health problems that are usually more commonly found in females such as breast cancer
What are the psychological characteristics of Klinefelter’s syndrome?
- Often linked to poorly developed language skills & reading ability
- Individuals tend to be passive,shy & lack interest in sexual activity
- May tend not to respond well to stressful situations
- May often exhibit problems w executive functions such as memory & problem solving
What are the physical characteristics of Turners syndrome?
- Individuals w TS do not have a menstural cycle- their ovaries do not develop & thus they are infertile
- They do not develop breasts at puberty & instead have a broad ‘shield’ chest
- TS also associated w low set ears & a ‘webbed’ neck
- Hips are not much bigger than waist
Generally adults w Turners syndrome are physically immature & tend to retain appearance of prepubescent girls
What is Turner’s syndrome?
- A chromosomal disorder in which affected women have only one X chromosome (denoted as XO)
- Causing developmental abnormalities & infertility
Approx 1 in 5000 biological females have Turners syndrome
Affected individuals have 45 chromosomes rather than usual 46
Give one strength of research into atypical sex chromosome syndromes.
Its contribution to the nature/nurture debate
- By comparing people who have these syndromes w chromosome-typical individuals it becomes possible to see psychological & behavioural differences between the two groups
- It may be logically inferred that these differences have a biological basis & are a direct result of abnormal chromosomal structure
This wld support view that innate ‘nature’ influences have a powerful effect on psychology & behaviour
What are the psychological characteristics of Turners Syndrome?
- In contrast to Klinefelter’s syndrome Turners syndrome has:
- Higher than avergae reading ability
- Hwvr- performance on spatial, visual memory & mathematical tasks is often lower than average
- Socially immature- have trouble relating to peers & experience difficulty ‘fitting in’.
Give a counterpoint of its contribution to the nature/nurture debate?
- Hwvr there are issues when leaping to these conclusions
- Relationship between atypical chromosomal patterns associated w Klinefelter’s & Turners syndrome & differences in behaviour seen in these individuals is not casual.
- It may be environmental & social influences are more responsible for the behavioural influences observed
E.g social immaturity seen in females w Turners syndrome may arise from fact they are treated ‘immaturely’ by people around them. - Parents, teachers around them may react to the prepubescent appearance of people w Turner’s in a way that encourages immature behaviour & this may have an indirect impact upon their performance at school.
This shows use that it cld be wrong to assume that psychological & behavioural differences in people w atypical sex chromosome patterns are due to nature
Give another strength of the research.
Real worl application - It’s application to managing symptoms
- Continued research into atypical sex chromosme patterns is likely to lead to earlier & more accurate diagnoses of T& K syndrome as well as more positive outcomes in the future
e.g An Australian study of 87 individuals w Klinefelter’s syndrome showed that those who had been identified & treated from a v young age experienced significant benefits in terms of managing their syndrome compared to those who has been diagnosed in early adulthood
This suggests that increased awareness of atypical chromosome patterns does have a useful real-world application
Give one limitation of Atypical sex chromosome patterns.
- OL w description of Klinefelter’s syndrome is there may be a sampling issue
- In order to idenitfy characteristics of XXY & XO individuals it is necessary to idenfiy a large No. of individuals w the disorder & build a database so we can see full range of characteristics
- In general only people who have most severe symptoms are identified & therefore picuture of typical symptoms may be distorted
RICHARD BOADA ET AL (2009)
- Reported that prospective studies (following XXY individuals from birth) many do not experience significant cognitive or psychological problems & many are highly successful academically & in their personal lives & careers
Suggests that the typical picture of Klinefelter’s (& Turners) syndrome may well be exaggerated
