The role of chromosomes and hormones in sex and gender

Question 1

Define chromosomes

Answer 1

Found in nucleus of living cells and carry information in genes. The 23rd pair of chromosomes determines biological sex.

Question 2

Chromosomes in Humans

Answer 2

made from DNA and genes are short sections of DNA that determine the characteristics of living things.

Question 3

How many chromosomes are there in humans?

Answer 3

46 chromosomes arranged into 23 pairs.

Question 4

What chromosome determines our biological sex?

Answer 4

The 23rd pair determines our biological sex.
Male- XY
Female- XX

Question 5

What do normal egg cells and sperm cells carry?

Answer 5

Egg cell- carry an X chromosome
Sperm cell- half carry X and half carry Y.
So baby’s sex is determined by sperm that fertilises egg.

Question 6

The role of the Y chromosome

Answer 6

carries a gene- SRY which causes testes to develop in an XY embryo and these produce androgens, which cause the embryo to become a male without these it becomes female.

Question 7

Define Hormones

Answer 7

A chemical substance circulated in the blood that controls and regulates the activity of certain cells or organs.

Question 8

What is the role of hormones

Answer 8

They can influence gender development. They cause the development of reproductive organs.

Question 9

What do hormones trigger?

Answer 9

The development of secondary sexual characteristics e.g. pubic hair, breasts.

Question 10

Who produces testosterone?

Answer 10

Males and females. But males produce it in larger quantities.

Question 11

Define Testosterone

Answer 11

A hormone from the androgen group that is produced mainly in the male testes. It is associated with aggression.

Question 12

What does testosterone control?

Answer 12

The development of male sex organs.

Question 13

Research evidence for high levels of aggression linking to high levels of aggression

Answer 13

Female rats who were injected with testosterone showed more physical and sexual aggression than normal female rats.

Question 14

Define Oestrogen

Answer 14

The primary female hormone, which plays an important role in the menstrual cycle and reproductive system. It is also present in males in smaller amounts.

Question 15

What is the role of oestrogen?

Answer 15

It determines female sexual characteristics and menstruation. Causes high emotions and irritability during menstrual cycle.

Question 16

Define Oxytocin

Answer 16

A hormone, which causes the uterus to contract during labour and stimulates lactation.

Question 17

Role of oxytocin

Answer 17

produced in large amounts during labour and allows women to breastfeed. Reduces the stress hormone cortisol, allowing women to bond with their baby.

Question 18

What does oxytocin do in times of stress

Answer 18

Dampens the fight or flight response and triggers a tend and befriend response.

Question 19

Men and oxytocin

Answer 19

they produce less of hormone fueling stereotypes that men are less interested in intimacy in relationships .

Question 20

Research contradicts this because…

Answer 20

It shows that during love making activities, both sexes produce it in roughly the same quantities.

Question 21

Strength of the role of chromosomes on gender.

Answer 21

Supporting research- David Reimer.
Dr money believed a boy who’s penis had been burnt off as a baby
should be brought up as a girl but when child reached puberty he reverted to living as a man.
Supports role of biological factors in gender development as shows biological factors are more important than socialisation in determining gender.

Question 22

Strength of the role of sex hormones on gender-related behaviour

Answer 22

Supporting research- Van Goozen et al
studied transgender women undergoing hormone treatment.
found they had decreased in aggression, visuo spatial skills.
Whilst transgender men showed the opposite.
Suggests it was the change in sex hormones that created the change in gender behaviour.

Question 23

Weakness of role of biological factors in gender related behaviour.

Answer 23

Conflicting evidence- Tricker et al
used a double blind study- found that 43 males who were given a weekly injection of testosterone or a placebo.
Showed no differences in aggression after 10 weeks.
Suggests testosterone not linked to aggressive behaviour because if it was would expect a change in the experimental group.

Question 24

Weakness of biological factors in gender

Answer 24

lacks population validity- involve small samples of unusual people or conducted on animals.
limits meaningful generalisation , so sex hormones ma affect humans differently.