Understanding Sex, Gender, and Sexuality Concepts

Sex

Biologically-influenced physical characteristics categorized as 'male', 'female' or 'intersex'.

Hormones

Chemical messengers (produced in endocrine glands) that travel through the bloodstream and stimulate specific cells or tissues into action.

Testosterone

Leads to male-specific sex characteristic development.

Estrogen

Leads to female-specific sex characteristic development.

Chromosomes

Chromosomes are found in the nucleus of most living cells, carry genetic information in the form of genes.

Sex chromosome

23rd chromosome that determines biological sex.

Intersex

Any non-binary expression of sex characteristics.

Puberty

Period of sexual maturation when an adolescent becomes capable of reproduction.

Primary Sex Characteristics

The body structures that allow for reproduction, such as ovaries, testes, and external genitalia.

Secondary Sex Characteristics

Nonreproductive sexual traits, such as female breasts, male voice quality, and body hair.

Gender

Socially-constructed definition and categorization of sexes.

Gender Role

A set of expected behaviors, attitudes, and traits for men and women.

Gender Identity

Psychological, personal sense of being male, female, neither, or a combination.

Cisgender

Biological sex and gender identity match norms.

Transgender

Gender identity and/or expression differs from birth sex or gender assigned at birth.

Gender Expression

Taking on the outward role of a gender.

Androgyny

Displaying both masculine and feminine gender characteristics (or neither specifically) simultaneously.

Sexual Orientation

Attraction (romantic and/or sexual) to others.

Heterosexual

Attraction to opposite sex.

Homosexual

Attraction to same sex.

Bisexual

Attraction to both sexes.

Asexual

Little to no attraction toward anyone.

Queer

Attraction identity as non-normative or non-conforming.

Pansexual

Attraction to any/all sexes and gender identities.

Sexual Orientation Influences

Data suggest biological factors influence sexual orientation.

Genetic/Trait Influences

Same-sex attraction seen across species.

Heritability Influences

Homosexual males tend to have more homosexual relatives on the biological mother's side of the family.

Prenatal Hormone Influences

Testosterone in the womb: More T in the womb leads to more masculinization of the brain.

Older Brother Effect

Correlation between higher number of older brother and homosexual orientation.

Mating Preferences

(Heterosexual) women are more selective than (heterosexual) men when choosing a long-term mate.