Chapter 5: Gender Identity and Gender Roles Flashcards
Gender
The behavioural, cultural, or psychological traits typically associated with one sex
Gender is distinct from anatomic sex
which is based on the physical differences between female and males
Sexual differentiation
The process by which males and females develop distinct reproductive anatomy
Aristotle mistakenly believed that
Hot semen generated males, whereas cold semen made females
Chromosomes
Rodlike stricture in the nucleus of every living cell. It carries genetic cord, in the form of genes.
Zygote
Fertilized ovum (egg cell)
At about _____ weeks, a primitive heart begins to drive blood through the embryonic bloodstream.
3
Embryo
Stage of prenatal development that begins with implantation of a fertilized ovum in the uterus and concludes with development of the major organ system about 2 months after conception
Androgens
Male sex hormone (without this we develop femalere productive organs
Testosterone
Male steroid sex hormone
Inguinal canal
A fetal canal that connects the scrotum and the testes, allowing the latter to descend
cryptorchidism
At least one of the testes fails to descend from the abdomen into the scrotum
Intersex
is a general term used for a variety of conditions in which a person is born with reproductive or sexual anatomy that is not typical for males or females
Hermaphrodites
Someone who possesses both ovarian and testicular tissue
- May menstruate
- Incomplete internal reproductive organs
- Female breast structure
Less rare intersex conditions may occur in as many of ____% of live births
2%
congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH)
Intersex condition in which a genetic female has internal female sexual structures and masculinized external genitals
- Female fetus’ adrenals produce large amounts of androgens
- Androgens masculinize genitals, which enlarges the clitoris and labia which fuse and look like a scrotum
- Usually raised as boys but develop breasts at puberty
- Can be partly corrected with surgery and hormone therapy
- Normally have internal structures (e.g ovaries)
Gender dysphoria
A sense of incongruity between assigned sex and gender identity that causes significant distress
androgen-insensitivity syndrome (AIS)
Intersex condition in which a genetic male is prenatally insensitive to androgens.
Genitals do not become normally masculinized and individuals are typically assigned female sex at birth
Klinefelter’s syndrome (1 in 500 males)
Disorder in which a male has an extra X sex chromosome (XXY pattern than XY pattern)
- Small testes and reduced fertility
- Develop breasts (1/3)
- Lack of facial hair
- Less interest in sex. but testosterone injects can increase this
Turner’s syndrome (1 in 2500 Females)
Female has just one X sex chromosome (An pattern opposed to XX)
- immature female, ovaries absent or rudimentary
- Short and have a webbed neck
- Infertility, no breast development
- Estrogen replacement therapy (age 12-15) will help in development (i.e breasts)
Dominican Republic syndrome
DHT-deficient males
Genetic enzyme disorder prevents testosterone from masculinizing the external genitalia
- Genetically XY but develop female-like external genitals
- Typically raised girl / women
- Defect prevents prenatal conversion of testosterone into DHT (Dihydrotestosterone)
- At puberty, male genitals develop due to increased testosterone (16/18 study patients become men)
- Culture impacts biology as men rules country
Lecture Material
Beyond all of this
Triple X syndrome
XXX, 1;1000
- Normal IQ range, but reduced compared to siblings
- Language delay for half the cases
- Facial features such thin lip, short nose, underdeveloped jaw, etc
Poly X syndrome
XXXXX (very rare)
-Serious IQ drop (25-75 points)
Supermale
super male
XYY (1;1000)
- taller, learning disability and delayed speech half the time
- Youthful face, reduced body hair (lack of testosterone)
- Small testes, osteoporosis
Testicular Feminization syndrome (XY)
- Androgens produced, but insensitive to testosterone
- External female genitals
- Blind vagina, no uterus
- Little sexual motivation
- Due to lack of androgens
What do these examples of intersex variants tell us?
- Intricate interaction between genetic and hormonal influences
- If excess androgen during critical periods of embryonic development - male like genitals in genetic female
- Also suggests an hormonal role in sexual motivation
Role of androgens in sexual motivations for male and female
Castration (remove testes in males)
- But this reduces or abolishes sexual interest
- But some may continue interest due to experience and psychological factors (after pueberty as they have had sexaul reponses)
Androgen brain implants in hypothalamus of nonhumans (if one implants androgen into the brain, this generates sexual behaviour)
When women lose their andrenal glands
They lose androgens and decrease sexual motivation
-plus estrogen is produced from androgen
Androgen therapy alone is not very effective with Women with low sexual desire
But androgen administered to women with certain cancers increased sexual motivation