Gender: The role of chromosomes and hormones (biological approach)

Question 1

The ___ chromosome pair is the one that determines gender.

Answer 1

23rd (last)

Question 2

There are ___ chromosomes in the body, arranged into ___ pairs.

Answer 2

46
23

Question 3

The ___ chromosome determines the sex of a zygote when fertilised.

Answer 3

Y

Question 4

What does the sex-determining region (SRY) on the Y chromosome do?

Answer 4

• The SRY gene causes testes to develop in an XY embryo.
• This produces androgens (male sex hormones).
• SRY gene is not present in females (not passed on as there is no Y chromosome).

Question 5

What is the role of hormones in gender development?

Answer 5

• Prenatally inn the womb, hormones act upon brain development and cause development of reproductive organs.
• During puberty an increase in hormonal activity triggers the development of secondary sexual characteristics e.g. pubic hair.
• Males and females will produce the same hormones but in different concentrations.

Question 6

What is the role of testosterone?

Answer 6

• Main male hormone.
• It controls the development of male sex organs during foetal development- high levels of testosterone allow for the development of male sex organs (which may cause a genetically female to develop male sex organs).
• The evolutionary explanation suggests that high levels of testosterone are also linked to aggression because it is adaptive. Aggression towards rivals allows males to compete for the opportunity to mate with a fertile female.

Question 7

What is the role of oestrogen?

Answer 7

• Main female hormone
• Controls the development of female sex hormones during foetal development and menstruation.
• Oestrogen can cause some females to experience heightened emotions. This is especially significant during mesnturation where extreme irritability and emotions allow for the diagnosis of PMS and PMDD.

Question 8

What is the role of oxytocin?

Answer 8

• Women typically produce oxytocin in significantly higher amounts than men- particularly as a result of giving birth.
• Because it reduces the stress hormone cortisol it facilitates bonding after the trauma of giving birth, making mothers feel ‘in love’ with their baby
• The hormone stimulates lactation, making it possible for mothers to breastfeed their children.
• The fact that men don’t produce as much oxyctocin has fulled the stereotype that men are less interested in intimacy and closeness during a relationship
• However, evidence suggests that both sexes produce similar levels of oxytocin during erotic activities e.g. kissing, sexual intercourse.
• intercourse.

Question 9

What are the 4 evaluation points for the role of chromosomes and hormones during gender development?

Answer 9

1) Evidence for testosterone (S)
2) Real-world application (S)
3) Social factors ignored (L)
4) Reductionist (L)

Question 10

Explain evidence for testosterone (S) as an evaluation point for the role of chromosomes and hormones during gender development:

Answer 10

• There is supporting evidence into the role of sex hormones in gender development in mature males.
• Wang gave 227 men with hormonal abnormalities testosterone therapy for 180 days- monitoring body shape, muscle strength and libido.
• Found that testosterone replacement therapy improved libido, mood and muscle strength.
• Shows that testosterone has a direct and powerful influence on male sexual arousal as well as physical development in adulthood.

Question 11

Explain real world application (S) as an evaluation point for the role of chromosomes and hormones during gender development:

Answer 11

• Allows for medical conditions caused by hormone abnormalities to be seen.
• For example PMS is a recognised medical condition caused by fluctuating hormones in a females menstrual cycle.
• A diagnosis means a person can access treatment on the NHS to try to control mood swings and physical symptoms that they experience.
• However it is argued that PMS is a social construct which encourages harmful stereotypes of ‘irrational women’, affecting how they are treated in society.

Question 12

Explain social factors ignored (L) as an evaluation point for the role of chromosomes and hormones during gender development:

Answer 12

• Biological accounts ignore the role of social factors in gender-related behaviour.
• Hofstede claims that gender roles are much more a consequence of social norms than biology.
• Many cultures classify masculinity and femininity to whether their country is collectivist or individualist.
• Individualist cultures tend to have a more of a masculine outlook and favour stereotypically masculine traits.
• This challenges biological explanations of gender behaviour and suggests social factors ultimately may be more important in shaping gender behaviour and attitudes.

Question 13

Explain reductionist (L) as an evaluation point for the role of chromosomes and hormones during gender development:

Answer 13

• Biological explanations of gender are reductionist.
• Accounts that reduce gender to the level of chromosomes and hormones ignore alternative explanations.
• For example, cognitive factors are ignored such as schemas. Even though changes in thought processes may be a result of the maturation of the developing brain, they are not adequately explained by the biological approach

Question 14

What is Klinefelter’s syndrome?

Answer 14

• Syndrome affecting males where an individual’s genotype has an extra X chromosome (the affected individual will have XXY chromosomes).
• Will produce physical symptoms such as breast development, underdeveloped genitals, long limbs and poor coordination
• Will produce psychological symptoms such as poor language skills, a shy personality and lack of interest in sexual activity.

Question 15

What is Turner’s syndrome?

Answer 15

• Syndrome affecting females where one of the 2 allocated X chromosomes is absent (may be referred to as XO chromosomes).
• Will produce physical symptoms such as an absence of menstruation, little breast development, webbed neck and low-set ears.
• Will produce psychological symptoms such as poor mathematical abilities, poor visual memory and being socially immature (find it difficult to relate and fit in with their peers).

Question 16

What are the 4 evaluation points for atypical sex chromosome patterns?

Answer 16

1) Nature/nurture debate (S)
2) Real-world application (S)
3) Syndrome diagnosis (S/L)
4) Sampling issues (L)

Question 17

Explain nature/nurture debate (S) as an evaluation point for atypical sex chromosome patterns:

Answer 17

• The syndrome signifcantly contributes to the nature/nurture debate.
• Comparing those with atypical sex chromosome patterns (Kleinfelts and Turners syndrome) with typical individuals will allow us to identify psychological and behavioural differences between them.
• May be inferred that these differences have a biological basis and are the direct result of abnormal chromosome structure.
• Support the nature argument that innate influences have a powerful effect on psychology and behaviour.

Question 19

Explain real-world application (S) as an evaluation point for atypical sex chromosome patterns:

Answer 19

• Allows for application to managing atypical sex chromosome syndromes e.g. Turners, Kleinfelters.
• Continued research into atypical chromosome patterns is likely to lead to earlier and more accurate diagnosis of Turner’s and Kleinfelter’s syndromes, as well as more positive outcomes in the future.
• An Australian study of 87 individuals with Kleinfelter’s syndrome showed that those who had been diagnosed and treated from a young age experienced significant benefits in managing their syndrome compared to those who had been diagnosed in adulthood.
• Suggests that increased awareness of atypical chromosome patterns has useful application in real-life.

Question 20

Explain sampling issues (L) as an evaluation point for atypical sex chromosome patterns:

Answer 20

• An issue with the description/view of Kleinfelters syndrome is that there may be a sampling issue.
• To identify the characteristics/symptoms of atypical sex chromosome syndromes a large number of affected individuals is needed to produce a data base where mild to severe diagnosis can be established.
• However only individuals with severe physical and psychological impacts tend to be identified which distorts the view of the typical symptoms of the disorder.
• For example many people with Kleinfelters syndrome do not experience severe symptoms, which allows for a more realistic view of the disorders to be identified.
• This suggests that the picture of Kleinfelter’s (and Turner’s) syndrome may be exaggerated.

Question 21

Explain syndrome diagnosis (S) as an evaluation point for atypical sex chromosome patterns:

Answer 21

• Early diagnosis of atypical chromosome patterns can benefit those affected.
• For example early knowledge of the syndrome an individual has may help them understand why they appear and act differently to other children. This can relieve affected children of the view that their differences are their fault.
• It also means that early access to medical and psychological support is possible.