Sexual Behaviour

Question 1

Monogamy prevalence

Answer 1

• 3% in mammalian species

- 12% of primates

Question 2

Polyandry

Answer 2

One female mates with many males, but each male with just that female
Rare in mammals

Question 3

Polygyny

Answer 3

One male mates with many females, but each female with just that males
Many mammalian species

Question 4

Sexual dimorphism

Answer 4

Structural differences between male and female brains

Question 5

Generally, which gender has a larger brain?

Answer 5

Males

Question 6

Motor neurones that control the bulbocavernosus muscle lie in the ____ ____ in the _____ _____ _____

Answer 6

Onuf’s nucleus

Sacral spinal cord

Question 7

What is the bulbocavernosus muscle?

Answer 7

The muscle responsible for waste disposal from the urethra

Question 8

There are more neurones in Onuf’s nucleus in males because…?

Answer 8

The BC is larger in males

Question 9

The Sexually Dismorphic Nucleus (SDN) of the pre-optic area of the hypothalamus is much larger in ___ than ____

Answer 9

Males

Females

Question 10

After puberty, women display better ___ ability than men

Answer 10

Verbal

Question 11

Women exhibit better performance in spatial reasoning tests when oestrogen levels are ____

Answer 11

Lowest

Question 12

Initiation of sexual encounters increases prior to _____

Answer 12

Ovulation

Question 13

Treatment of female rats with testosterone reduces female sexual behaviour

Answer 13

• Normal female rats exhibit lordosis prior to mating
• Testosterone prevents lordosis when exposure happens for a few days at birth
• Critical period

Question 14

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)

Answer 14

• Adrenals secrete high levels of androgen (male hormones) in early life
• Ovaries are normal, external genitalia are often indistinct
• Often described as aggressive and male-like

Question 15

Testosterone

Answer 15

• Male hormone
• Levels vary during the day
• Linked to aggression
• Can form oestodiol via aromatisation

Question 16

Oestrogens and progestins

Answer 16

• Female hormones
• Hormonal levels cycle each month of reproductive life
• Related to development of eggs and uterus