Atypical sex chromosomes

Question 1

What are the conditions caused by abnormalities in chromosome pair 23?

Answer 1

• Turner’s syndrome

- Klinefelter’s syndrome

Question 2

What is Kleinefelter’s syndrome?

Answer 2

(Occuring in 1/1000 males)
Due to an extra X chromosome (XXY)
Infant born with male genitals

Question 3

What are the symptoms of Kleinefelter’s syndrome?

Answer 3

• Taller than average
• Poor musclular coordination
• Low levels of testosterone
• Infertility
• Look more feminie :
  > Less facial hair
  > Broader hips

Question 4

When does the syndrome become noticable?

Answer 4

Childhood, the boy has poor language skills
3 years: child may still not talk
At school there is poor language skills and reading ability

Question 5

What is Turner’s Syndrome?

Answer 5

(occurs in 1/2000 females)
Happens due to 2nd sex chromosome being partially or missing
Infant is referred to as Xo

Question 6

What are the symptoms of Turner’s syndrome?

Answer 6

• Vagina and womb
• No period - undeveloped ovaries
• Shorter than average
• smaller lower jaw, webbed neck

Question 7

What are the cognitive differences in someone with Turner’s syndrome?

Answer 7

• Higher than average verbal ability but lower tha average spatial ability, visual memory and mathematical skills

Question 8

Nature vs nurture:

Answer 8

Studying people with Turner’s syndrome and Klinefelter’s syndrome might help our understanding of gender because by studying people with atypical sex chromosomes and comparing their development with that of people with typical sex chromosomes, psychologists are able to establish which types of behavior are genetic (e.g. determined by chromosomes).