Psychology 2035A/B Lecture Notes - Pubic Hair, Sexual Differentiation, Y Chromosome

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 2035A/B
• Professor: Doug Hazlewood

Document Summary

The gonadal factor: (development of reproductive organs: testes or ovaries) If y is present it 1) stimulates development of testes 2) inhibits the development of ovaries. True hermaphrodites genetic female (xx); with tiny piece of y chromosome attached (xxy) y is big enough to stimulate development of testes but not big enough to inhibit the development of ovaries (has both) Testes produce androgens (hormone) when androgens are present a penis develops (the adam principle) When absent, clitoris and vagina develop (the eve principle) The adrenogenital syndrome genetic female with unusually active adrenal gland (produce androgens) develops sex organs that appear to be male clitoris is enlarged, vagina is fused (may look like testes) If everything is normal after these stages your prenatal sexual differentiation is complete but you cant reproduce for the next decade. Girls (10-12), boys (12-14) age ranges have been decreasing over the past decade. Boys and girls pubic hair and growth spurt.