Chromosomes and hormones Flashcards
What are chromosomes?
Thin strands of DNA - 46 chromosomes in humans (23 pairs - the last determines biological sex)
What are genes?
Short sections of DNA determining characteristics
What is the role of sperm?
All eggs have x chromosome. Sperm carries either X or Y. Y carries gene called sex determining region SRY, causes testes to develop in embryo
What is hormones?
Biochemical substance circulating in the blood only affecting target organs. Powerful, large quantities
What do hormones do prenatally?
Brain and reproductive organs development - more central in sex development than genes
What is testosterone?
From androgen group produced mainly in male testes. Associated with aggression as adaptive. (Small amounts in women)
What is oestrogen?
Primary female hormone - menstrual cycle and reproduction. Heightened emotionality and irritibality (PMS)
What is oxytocin?
Causes uterus contraction and stimulates lactation. Reduces cortisol facilitating bonding (love hormone). Men and women produce similar amounts during amorous activities
What is CAH?
Congenital adrenal hyperlasia
Who found females with CAH to exhibit more aggression and be described as tomboyish?
Bailey and Berenbaum
What does the case of David Reimer (Dr Money case) show?
Biological influences are more important than socialisation
Who found the link between increased testosterone and sexual behaviour - how many people studied?
Wang - 227 males given testoserone therapy for 180 days
What is it when males’ testes are unable to produce normal levels of testosterone?
Male hypogonadism
Who carried out a double blind placebo study and found no change in interactional (frequency of sex) and non-interactional (sex drive) behaviours?
Daryl O’connor et al.
Who claims gender roles is a result of social norms (e.g. masculinity in individualistic cultures not biology?
Hofstede et al.
Who objects to the medical categorisation of PMS on the ground it stereotypes women’s experience and emotions?
Rodin - it is a social construction not biological fact. In contrast, men’s anger is ‘explained away’ as being the result of external stress, such as pressure at work, and not pathologised in the same way.
