Psychology 2035A/B Lecture Notes - Prenatal Development, Clitoris, Sexual Differentiation
23 Oct 2013
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If x sperm fertilizes egg: genetic female (xx) If y sperm fertilizes egg: genetic male (xy) The genetic factor- the first step towards being a male or female: the gonadal factor (development of reproductive organs: testes or ovaries) If present, it: stimulates development of the testes, inhibits the development of ovaries. Genetic female (xx); with tiny piece of y chromosome attached (xxy); Big enough to stimulate development of testes, not big enough to inhibit development of ovaries (therefore both: the hormonal factor (development of sex organs: penis or clitoris and vagina) When androgens are present, penis develops; (the adam principle) When absent, clitoris and vagina develop (the eve principle) Fetus develops sex organs that appear to be male (clitoris is enlarged, vagina is fused) This is a pseudohermaphrodite: the adrenogenital syndrome: Genetic female with unusually active adrenal glands (produce androgens): androgen-insensitivity syndrome:
