SRY produces the TDF from the age of 6
weeks casuses gonads to change into
testis rather than develop into ovaries
testes start producing androgens
(testosterone), whereas the ovaries
produce oestrogen and progesterone
determines the development of the
sexual organs into male genetalia
occurs as the brain develop rapidly and testosterone is
thought to influence the development of certain parts
of the brain such as spatial awareness, sex and
aggression
female brain will develop more
neurons and more connections
in the parts of the brain for
verbal skills, emotions and
processing gut feelings
after 24 weeks the level of sex
hormones is low but it increases
significantly in the first 6 months
of life
after this the level of sex hormones
remain low until puberty when they
increase and are responsible for
the development of secondary
sexual characteristics
coincides with brain development
(frontal lobes) involved with
reasoning, planning, emotions
and problem solving
influenced by sex hormones so
could explain differences in risk
taking between males and females