the role of chromosomes and hormones Flashcards
typical chromosome pattern for 23rd pair in females
XX
typical chromosome pattern for 23rd pair in males
XY
XX chromosomes lead to the development of…
ovaries, uterus and vagina
XY chromosomes lead to the development of…
testes and testosterone causes development of penis
the Y chromosome contains instructions to produce…
androgens
what are androgens
male sex hormones
why do chromosomes affect gender development
because of the link between genes and genitalia and the brain
the typical Y chromosome houses what gene
SRY gene
what does the SRY gene do
determines the development of the testes which produce testosterone
testosterone is linked to what 3 behaviours in males
aggression, competitiveness, visio-spatial abilities
oestrogen affects…
female sex characteristics and menstruation and has been linked to emotional behaviour
when are hormones produced
prenatally and during adolescence
hormones influence the development of what in the body
genitalia and brain - both of which influence gender behaviour
what is testosterone
sex hormone more present in males
when testosterone is released in the womb it…
causes the development of male sex organs (at 8 weeks) and acts upon the hypothalamus which results in the masculinisation of the brain
testosterone is responsible for increased size of an area of the…
hypothalamus, the (SDN)
what is oestrogen
main female sex hormone
oestrogen governs the development of …
secondary sexual characteristics and menstruation
examples of secondary sexual characteristics
body hair, facial hair, breast development
what is oxytocin
hormone that promotes feelings of bonding, content and calm
oxytocin is important in what process
breastfeeding to promote lactation
when is oxytocin released
during times of stress to reduce the fight or flight response
non human animal research on the influence of hormones was done on what animal
rats
what did Gorski et al do to the rats
injected female rats testosterone before birth
what happened to female rats after injection of testosterone
- rats developed ambiguous genitals, enlarged clitoris
- parts of the brain looked male
what happened to the female rats behaviour, what did they do
behaviour was masculinised, tried to mate with other female rats
three issues of the rat study
- cant extrapolate findings to humans as we have a different biological structure to rats
- ethical issues, injecting hormones can be psychologically harmful
- reductionist
why is the rat study reductionist
oversimplifies gender development down to biological explanations, ignores environmental, culture and social norms that could affect it
the case of david reimer (the boy with no penis) is conducted by
Dr money
what happened in the case of david reimer
- routine circumcision gone wrong, penis burnt off
- Dr money suggested raising him as a girl (only 18 months old)
- at puberty he behaved in a masculine fashion
- he became suicidal, the parents told him what happened and he converted back to a man
what does the case of david reimer show
hormones have a strong influence on your traits, personality and interests
that nature is superior to nurture
