Atypical Sex Chromosomes Patterns

Question 1

Define atypical sex chromosomes patterns:

Answer 1

Sex chromosome patterns deviate away from the typical pair of sex chromosomes which associate with distinct physical and psychological symptoms

Question 2

What is Turner’s Syndrome?

Answer 2

-1 in every 5,000 baby girls and only affects females.
-only on X chromosome
-45 chromosomes
-Not linked to mothers age
-Many not be diagnosed until puberty

Question 3

What chromosome does a person with Turner’s Syndrome have?

Answer 3

XO

Question 4

Physical characteristics of Turner’s syndrome:

Answer 4

-Shorter than average
-have underdeveloped ovaries (female reproductive organs), resulting in a lack of monthly periods and infertility
-Abroad ‘shield’ chest due to no breast development
-Low set ears
-‘Webbed’ neck
-Hips are not much bigger than the waist

Question 5

Psychological characteristics of Turner’s syndrome:

Answer 5

-Higher than average reading ability
-Mathematical, spatial and visual performance is lower than normal
-Socially immature
-Trouble relating to their peers
-May experience difficulty “fitting in”
-Individual’s identify themselves as female and have similar interests and behaviours to biologically typically females.

Question 6

Treatment of Turner’s syndrome:

Answer 6

-no cure
-associated symptoms can
-need regular health checks of their heart, kidneys and reproductive system throughout their lives
-Growth hormone injections

Question 7

What is Klinefelter’s syndrome?

Answer 7

-occurs in 1 in 500 and 1 in 1000
-condition are biologically male
-an additional ‘X’ chromosome
-not diagnosed until the time of puberty
-can be detected before birth (prenatally)

Question 8

Physical characteristics in Klinefelter’s syndrome:

Answer 8

-Reduced body hair
-Breast development at puberty
-Long gangly limbs
-Underdeveloped genitals
-Problems with co-ordination or clumsiness

Question 9

Psychological characteristics in Klinefelter’s syndrome:

Answer 9

-Poorly developed language skills
-Poor reading ability
-Passive and shy
-Lack of interest in sexual activity
-Problems with memory and problem solving
-Don’t cope well with stressful situations
-Individual’s with Klinefelter’s syndrome identify themselves as male and have similar interests and behaviours to biologically typical males

Question 10

Treatment for Klinefelter’s syndrome:

Answer 10

-Testosterone replacement therapy by injections/skin patch (deepen the voice, stimulate hair growth)
-No help for infertility
-Speech therapy
-Educational support

Question 11

How does this support the nature-nurture debate?

Answer 11

Able to compare those with atypical conditions with typical chromosomes. Enabling difference between psychological/behavioural to be seen.

Question 12

Why may behaviours (especially in Turner’s syndrome) support nurture debate?

Answer 12

-Environmental and social influences may be more responsible for the behavioural differences
-E.g acting immaturely due to being treated immaturely

Question 13

What practical applications of research into atypical sex chromosomes?

Answer 13

-Early diagnoses of Turnes’s/Klinefelter’s syndrome
-Diagnose at a younger age increased benefits compared to diagnosed in younger years

Question 14

Limitation of an unusual sample:

Answer 14

Lack of generalisability as drawn from unrepresentative sample