Describe and evaluate the biological explanation of gender development
Describe and evaluate the biological explanation of gender development. Give evidence in your answer. (10 marks)
The biological approach states that human beings have evolved so that males and females possess different chromosomes that trigger the production of different levels of certain hormones. It is these hormonal differences between the sexes that lead to differences in behaviour. This allows for males and females to perform different roles in reproduction thus ensuring the survival of their genes and, in turn the human species. Women have evolved psychologically, anatomically and physiologically to be the carers of their young, whereas men have evolved in a similar way, but to be the main providers for the mother and her young.
Each cell in the human body contains a total of 46 chromosomes, 22 of the pairs are the same for both sexes, but the final pair determines whether the individual is female or male. If the embryo is a female the chromosomal pattern will be XX, but if the embryo is male the chromosomal pattern will be XY. The chromosomal make-up of the sperm that fertilises the egg determines an individual’s sex. If the sperm carries an X chromosome, the embryo will be female, but if the sperm carries a Y chromosome the embryo will be male.
After conception, it is not until the embryo reaches 6 weeks old that gonads begin to develop differently. If the embryo is to be a male, the gene on the Y chromosome triggers the events that transform the male embryo gonads into testes. However if the embryo is to be female, the absence of the Y chromosome, will cause the gonads to automatically develop into ovaries. Once the testes and ovaries have developed they begin to release their own sex hormones; male hormones are known as androgens; female hormones are known as oestrogens.
Biological explanations state that sex hormones have an effect on the pre-natal development of the brain. Since male and female foetuses produce different amounts of certain
The biological approach states that human beings have evolved so that males and females possess different chromosomes that trigger the production of different levels of certain hormones. It is these hormonal differences between the sexes that lead to differences in behaviour. This allows for males and females to perform different roles in reproduction thus ensuring the survival of their genes and, in turn the human species. Women have evolved psychologically, anatomically and physiologically to be the carers of their young, whereas men have evolved in a similar way, but to be the main providers for the mother and her young.
Each cell in the human body contains a total of 46 chromosomes, 22 of the pairs are the same for both sexes, but the final pair determines whether the individual is female or male. If the embryo is a female the chromosomal pattern will be XX, but if the embryo is male the chromosomal pattern will be XY. The chromosomal make-up of the sperm that fertilises the egg determines an individual’s sex. If the sperm carries an X chromosome, the embryo will be female, but if the sperm carries a Y chromosome the embryo will be male.
After conception, it is not until the embryo reaches 6 weeks old that gonads begin to develop differently. If the embryo is to be a male, the gene on the Y chromosome triggers the events that transform the male embryo gonads into testes. However if the embryo is to be female, the absence of the Y chromosome, will cause the gonads to automatically develop into ovaries. Once the testes and ovaries have developed they begin to release their own sex hormones; male hormones are known as androgens; female hormones are known as oestrogens.
Biological explanations state that sex hormones have an effect on the pre-natal development of the brain. Since male and female foetuses produce different amounts of certain