Final answer:
Gonadal dysgenesis is another term for Turner syndrome, a chromosomal condition characterized by incomplete sexual development due to an XO genotype. It involves underdeveloped gonads and is linked to the absence or malfunction of the SRY gene essential for sexual differentiation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Another name for gonadal dysgenesis is Turner syndrome. This is a condition characterized by the presence of an incomplete set of chromosomes, specifically an XO genotype instead of the typical XX or XY. Individuals with Turner syndrome often display features such as short stature, webbed neck, and sterility, and lack standard ovarian development. Gonadal dysgenesis refers to the underdevelopment or incomplete development of the gonads, which can also occur in other chromosomal disorders such as Klinefelter syndrome (XXY genotype).
The process of sexual differentiation in human embryos depends heavily on the presence of the SRY gene, located on the Y chromosome. If this gene is expressed, it leads to the development of testes from the bipotential gonadal tissue; in its absence, ovaries are formed. The proper function of the SRY gene and the testosterone or estrogen produced by the gonads play crucial roles in the formation of the male or female reproductive systems, respectively.