Lecture 14 - Sex Flashcards
What is sexual dimorphism?
Sexual dimorphism means that males and females of the same species look or act differently from each other, beyond just their reproductive organs.
Give examples of how sexual dimorphism can manifest.
Sexual dimorphism can manifest in size and weight, color, behavior, and cognition.
What is an example of sexual dimorphism in the animal kingdom?
The triplewart seadevil, where the male is tiny and attaches to the female like a parasite, assisting only with reproduction.
How do genetic and hormonal factors influence sexual dimorphism?
Genetic and hormonal factors influence the development of physical and behavioral differences in males and females, starting before birth and continuing into adulthood.
What are sexually dimorphic behaviors?
Sexually dimorphic behaviors are actions that differ for males and females of the same species, such as courtship, mating, and parenting.
In what ways do reproductive behaviors differ between males and females in mammals?
Reproductive behaviors, including courting and parenting, are influenced by the sex of the individual, often displaying distinct patterns for males and females.
How do average differences between male and female brains influence behavior?
Differences in brain size and connectivity can lead to variations in abilities, personality, and interests between men and women.
What is the definition of sex?
Sex is determined at birth by physical features such as chromosomes (XX or XY), hormones, and reproductive organs.
What is gender?
Gender is a broader concept that involves traits linked to masculinity and femininity, influenced by both biology and culture.
How is gender expression different from gender identity?
Gender expression refers to how someone outwardly shows their gender through actions and clothing, while gender identity is a person’s internal sense of their gender, which may or may not align with their assigned sex at birth.
What are gender roles?
Gender roles are the expectations for how each gender should behave based on cultural norms.
Define sexual orientation.
Sexual orientation refers to a person’s enduring romantic or sexual attraction toward a particular gender(s).
How does gender function as a social construct?
Gender is shaped by shared social rules and cultural beliefs that change over time and across cultures, indicating it is not fixed solely by biology.
What influences the way society perceives masculinity and femininity?
Cultural beliefs and societal norms significantly influence the understanding of masculinity and femininity, often overshadowing biological factors.
How do differences in male and female brains affect behavior?
While there are differences in male and female brains, the understanding of these differences is complex and still not fully understood, leading to debates about the influence of biology versus culture on behavior.
In societies with strict gender roles, how do biological differences in behavior tend to manifest?
In societies with strict gender roles, cultural expectations often overshadow biological differences, making it harder to see innate behavioral variations.
What is socialization in the context of child-rearing?
Socialization is the process by which individuals are guided in their behavior to align with cultural values and norms, often through parental guidance or allowing natural self-expression.
How do cultural values influence perceptions of gender behaviors?
Cultural values shape the worth assigned to specific gender behaviors, impacting the debate over which behaviors are considered harmful, beneficial, or neutral.
Why is it important to distinguish between biological and cultural influences when assessing behaviors?
Biological traits are not inherently good or bad; their worth is evaluated based on cultural values, making it essential to consider both influences in discussions about behavior.
What is intelligence, and how is it related to brain structure?
Intelligence refers to the ability to learn, reason, solve problems, and adapt to new situations. It is not a single, easily defined trait but rather a combination of cognitive abilities that can vary across individuals. While intelligence is not tied to one specific area of the brain, certain brain regions and networks—such as the prefrontal cortex—are involved in higher-order thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making. However, intelligence is complex and can be influenced by various factors including genetics, environment, and the efficiency of communication between different brain areas. Therefore, intelligence can manifest in different ways, even among people with different brain structures or brain types.
What are gametes, and how are they different from regular body cells?
Gametes are mature reproductive cells (egg cells or sperm) produced by the gonads, containing only 23 single chromosomes, which is half the number found in regular body cells (23 pairs).
What determines a person’s biological sex at birth?
A person’s biological sex is typically determined by five factors: sex chromosomes (XX or XY), gonads (testes or ovaries), sex hormones (especially androgens), internal reproductive anatomy, and external anatomy.
What is an intersex condition?
An intersex condition occurs when a person’s biological factors do not align clearly as male or female, leading to variations in sex chromosomes, gonads, hormones, or anatomy.
How do embryonic sex organs develop?
Every embryo initially has the potential to develop either male or female sex organs, beginning with undifferentiated gonads that can become ovaries or testes depending on genetic signals.
What is the role of the SRY gene in male sex organ development?
The SRY gene, usually located on the Y chromosome, activates processes that direct undifferentiated gonads to form testes, initiating male sex organ development.
What hormones are released by testes, and what are their functions?
The testes release anti-Müllerian hormone, which prevents the development of female internal structures, and androgens (like testosterone), which support male internal and external development.
How does testosterone contribute to the development of male anatomy?
Testosterone directs the formation of internal male structures like the seminal vesicles and the vas deferens, while its conversion to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is essential for developing external male anatomy like the penis and scrotum.
Imagine a child expressing behaviors traditionally associated with the opposite gender. How might cultural values influence the parents’ response?
Cultural values might lead parents to either encourage the child’s natural expression or guide them to conform to traditional gender behaviors based on societal norms.
What is the role of the SRY gene in male sex organ development?
The SRY gene triggers the development of testes, which produce male hormones necessary for male sex organ development.
How do two X chromosomes (XX) influence female sex organ development?
Two X chromosomes are required for the development of ovaries; without them, ovaries will not form.
What happens to the Müllerian system in the absence of anti-Müllerian hormone?
Without anti-Müllerian hormone, the Müllerian system naturally develops into the internal female structures: the uterus, inner vagina, and fallopian tubes.
Describe how the absence of testosterone affects external female anatomy.
In the absence of testosterone, the external female anatomy (vulva) forms, and the Wolffian system, which would develop male organs, regresses.
