ROLE OF CHROMOSOMES AND HORMONES IN SEX AND GENDER

What is the difference between men and women’s chromosomes

Women have XX chromosomes, men have XY chromosomes

What gene does the Y chromosome carry

The sex determining region Y (SRY

What does the sex determining region Y gene do

It starts to promote the production of testosterone and other androgens

What are androgens

Male sex hormones

What do androgens cause males to develop

Testes and a penis rather than ovaries and a uterus

What do androgens do to a males brain

They cause the male’s brain to develop differently to the females

What is an example of a difference between men and womens brains due to androgens in the male brain

For example there are differences in the hypothalamus of males and females, with the sexual dimorphic nucleus being larger in males

What else can cause men and women to behave differently

The differences in secretion of hormones

Which hormone is associated with males type behaviours

Testosterone

What kind of ‘male’ behaviours is testosterone associated with

Aggression and competitiveness as well as a more ‘masculine personality’ with personality attributes such as being individualistic and acting as a leader

What is oestrogen

A female sex hormone that determines female sex characteristics and is involved in controlling the menstrual cycle

What behaviours is oestrogen associated with

Sensitivity and cooperation

What is oxytocin referred to as

The love hormone as it’s involved in bonding and released during hugging, kissing and sex

Why do females produce more oxytocin than men

Because it also plays a role in childbirth and breastfeeding