Question 1

If a genetically male fetus is exposed to high levels of both estrogen and testosterone during early development, its sexual anatomy will develop an appearance similar to

Accepted Answer

The answer of If a genetically male fetus is exposed...

Question 2

Whether a person develops a male or female sexual anatomy depends mostly on what aspect of hormones in early development?

Accepted Answer

The development of male sexual anatomy is primarily influenced by the presence of testosterone during early development.

Question 3

If a fetus is exposed to low levels of both estrogen and testosterone during early development, its sexual anatomy will develop appearing

Accepted Answer

In human development, the default pathway of sexual differentiation is female. If a fetus is exposed to low levels of both estrogen and testosterone, it will develop anatomy that appears similar to that of a female, as the development of male genitalia and secondary sexual characteristics requires higher levels of testosterone.

Question 4

What happens to the sexual development of a genetically female fetus that is exposed to more than the normal amount of testosterone during early development (more than normal for a female, though less than normal for a male)?

Accepted Answer

Exposure to higher levels of testosterone during fetal development can lead to an intermediate appearance between the typical male and female patterns. This is known as intersex or disorders of sex development (DSD). These individuals may have ambiguous genitalia and may identify as male, female, or non-binary.

Question 5

Most of the intersexed individuals who have spoken out publicly have said that they recommend

Accepted Answer

Most intersex advocates recommend avoiding surgery on intersexed children until they are old enough to make their own decisions about their bodies. This allows them to have agency and control over their own bodies and to make informed choices about any changes they may wish to make. It also prevents unnecessary harm and trauma from being inflicted upon them.

Question 6

If a genetically female human fetus were exposed to high but equal levels of both testosterone and estrogen, its sexual anatomy at birth would appear

Accepted Answer

Exposure to both testosterone and estrogen during fetal development can partially masculinize the sexual anatomy at birth. This can result in the development of male-like genitalia, but the extent of masculinization can vary. The individual may have ambiguous genitalia or have a mix of male and female genitalia. It is important to note that gender identity is not necessarily determined by genitalia or biological sex characteristics.

Question 7

An article in the latest issue of the Gullible Inquirer claims that a person was born with both a penis and a clitoris. Why is that impossible?

Accepted Answer

Both the penis and clitoris develop from the same structure in the fetus called the genital tubercle. However, during fetal development, the presence of certain hormones like testosterone can cause the genital tubercle to grow into a penis, while the absence of these hormones or presence of other hormones like estrogen can result in the growth of a clitoris. Therefore, it is not impossible to have both structures, as they originate from the same tissue.

Question 8

Under what circumstances might a genetically female (XX) fetus develop a sexual anatomy that partly resembles that of a genetic male (XY)?

Accepted Answer

The exposure to more testosterone than normal for a female fetus can cause the development of sexual anatomy that partly resembles that of a genetic male (XY). This can occur in conditions such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) or exposure to androgenic substances during pregnancy.

Question 9

Why is it impossible for a person to have a complete set of both male genitals and female genitals?

Accepted Answer

Both male and female genitals originate from the same embryonic tissue, and during fetal development, this tissue differentiates into either male or female genitalia depending on the presence of hormones. It is not possible for a fetus to develop two separate sets of genitals, as it would require the formation of two distinct genital tissues.

Question 10

The treatment of intersexed individuals has traditionally involved

Accepted Answer

Traditionally, intersexed individuals were often assigned and raised as females, sometimes involving surgery to make the genitalia appear more typically female.

Question 11

Which of the following never occurs?

Accepted Answer

Intersex conditions can result in a degree of ambiguity or variation in genital appearance or function, but having a complete set of both male and female genitals is not a known medical possibility. All other options (A, C, and D) are known intersex variations.

Question 12

Whether a child develops masculine-looking genitals or feminine-looking genitals depends mostly on

Accepted Answer

The development of male or female genitalia depends mostly on the level of testosterone during early development. Testosterone is needed for the development of male reproductive organs, while females do not typically have high levels of testosterone during prenatal development.

Question 13

Which of the following fetuses is most likely to develop a sexual anatomy that appears intermediate between that of a normal male and that of a normal female?

Accepted Answer

The presence of excess testosterone during prenatal development can lead to the development of an intersex condition, where the sexual anatomy is intermediate between male and female. This can occur in genetic females who have been exposed to higher levels of testosterone than normal.

Question 14

A genetic female exposed to more than the usual amount of testosterone develops an external appearance that is __________. A genetic male exposed to more than the usual amount of estrogen develops an external appearance that is __________.

Accepted Answer

Testosterone is a male hormone that can cause masculinization, while estrogen is a female hormone that can cause feminization.

Question 15

A genetic female who is exposed to elevated testosterone levels during early development will develop in what way?

Accepted Answer

Exposure to elevated testosterone levels during early development can cause masculinization of the body, resulting in a more male-like appearance. This can include a deeper voice, increased muscle mass, and altered genital development. However, the individual will still have the genetic makeup of a female.

Question 16

A genetic male who is exposed to elevated estrogen levels during early development will develop in what way?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A genetic male who is exposed to...

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT currently recommended for the treatment of intersexed individuals?

Accepted Answer

The other options (A, B, and C) are currently recommended for the treatment of intersexed individuals, whereas D, taking measures to avoid the development of a male identity, is considered harmful and not ethical. The focus should be on providing individualized care and supporting the individual's self-determination.

Question 18

Which of the following infants would be most likely to develop a sexual anatomy that is intermediate between male and female?

Accepted Answer

Exposure to higher than normal levels of testosterone during prenatal development can lead to the development of sexual anatomy that is intermediate between male and female, known as intersex conditions. This is because testosterone is responsible for promoting male genital development, but in high levels, it can also cause some degree of masculinization in genetic females. The other answer options do not involve exposure to both testosterone and estrogen in a way that could lead to an intersex condition.

Question 19

What happens to the sexual development of a fetus (genes not specified) that is exposed to lower than the normal amounts of both testosterone and estrogen during early development?

Accepted Answer

Lower than normal amounts of both testosterone and estrogen during early development typically result in the development of a more or less normal female appearance. Without sufficient levels of these hormones, the fetus will not undergo the anatomical changes that would lead to the development of male reproductive organs.

Question 20

What happens to the sexual development of a genetically male fetus that is exposed to more than the usual amount of estrogen during early development (more than normal for a male, though less than normal for a female)?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What happens to the sexual development of...

Quiz 11: Motivated Behaviors