the role of chromosomes and hormones

Question 1

chromosomes

Answer 1

found in the nucleus of living cells carrying information in the form of genes - the 23rd pair determines biological sex

Question 2

hormone

Answer 2

a chemical substance that controls or regulates the activity of certain cells or organs

Question 3

the role of chromosomes

Answer 3

female - XX
male - XY
Y chromosome carries a gene called the SRY gene which causes testes to develop in an XY embryo - these produce male androgens and determine a male biological sex

Question 4

the role of hormones

Answer 4

testosterone - male hormone which controls the development of male sex organs
Van de Poll - female rats injected became more aggressive

oestrogen - primary female hormone
links to heightened emotionality and irritability - known as PMS

oxytocin - female hormone which causes the uterus to contract during labour - known as the ‘love’ hormone

Question 5

evaluation: evidence supports the role of chromosomes and hormones

Answer 5

David Reimer, botched circumcision which left him without a penis
John Money instructed his parents to raise him as a female
Bruce/Brenda never adjusted to life as a female and was experiencing severe psychological and emotional problems
went back to being a male and named themselves David, suggests chromosomes have more of an effect than the environment

Question 6

evaluation: contradictory evidence

Answer 6

Tricker conducted a double-blind study in which 43 males were given a weekly injection of either testosterone or a placebo
no significant differences in aggression were found over a 10 week period

Question 7

evaluation: objections to PMS

Answer 7

commentators have questioned PMS on the grounds that it stereotypes female experience and emotions
claims that it’s a social construction that prejudices against women through medicalisation