Gender - The Role Of Chromosomes And Hormones In Sex And Gender Flashcards
What are chromosomes?
Found in nucleus of living cells carrying genetic info
What is different about the 23rd pair of chromosomes?
Determines bio sex
What is XX and XY chromosomes?
XX - F
XY - M
What is a hormone?
A chemical substance circulated in blood that controls & regulates activity of certain cells/organs
What are testosterone, oestrogen and oxytocin examples of?
Hormones
What is testosterone?
Hormone from androgen group produced mainly in male testes (smaller amounts in ovaries)
What is the primary hormone in females that plays an important role in the menstrual cycle & reproductive system?
Oestrogen
What is oxytocin?
A hormone which causes contraction of the uterus during labour & stimulates lactation
What is a baby’s sex determined by?
The sperm cell (half carry X, half carry Y
What is the region on the Y chromosome causes testes to develop in an embryo?
The sex determining region - Y (SRY)
How do hormones affect an embryo prenatally?
Cause development of reproductive organs
How do hormones have an effect on puberty?
Triggers development of secondary sexual characteristics
What hormone is most research focused on as it has links to aggression?
Testosterone
Which hormone can cause pre-menstrual tension/pre-menstrual syndrome?
Oestrogen
What horomone reduces the stress hormone cortisol and is referred to as the ‘love hormone’?
Oxytocin
What causes congenital hyperplasia, and how is it identified?
High levels of male hormones prenatally (more often identified in newborn girls -> ambiguous genitalia)
Which case study supports role of chromosomes and hormones in gender?
David Reimer -> circumcision went wrong (Bruce had no genetalia after) parents took him to Dr Money who suggested they raise him female (he was developing theory of gender neutrality)
In teens, Bruce told he was born male (dr money published case as success) but he went back to living as a male changed name to David (committed suicide in 2004)
What is a criticism from feminists about PMS
Is a social construction not bio fact (a way of privileging men) -> dismisses women’s emotions (especially anger) by explaining them biologically
How can the role of chromosomes & hormones be seen as an overemphasis on nature?
If gender was purely down to biology there would be more differences between men and women -> social learning theory would point out importance of social context of learning our gender identity (explains cross cultural differences in gender role behaviour
How do chromosomes and hormones oversimplify a complex concept?
Reductionist -> ignores alternative explanations e.g. cognitive approach (looks at changing though processes that underpin gender development that isnt explained by the biological model
