Question

Someone with a chromosomal make-up of XY but who lacks the enzyme 5-α reductase and can therefore not convert testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), describes an intersex condition known as:

A. Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS).
B. Turner Syndrome.
C. Klinefelter Syndrome.
D. Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH).

Answer 1

The intersex condition described is known as Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS), where individuals with XY chromosomes lack the enzyme 5-α reductase and cannot convert testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This condition results in individuals developing external sex characteristics of females, while internally having undescended testes located in the pelvis or abdomen.

Step-by-step explanation:

The intersex condition described, where a person has a chromosomal make-up of XY but lacks the enzyme 5-α reductase and cannot convert testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), is known as Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS). In AIS, individuals have a mutation in the Androgen Receptor (AR) gene, which causes a lack of response to androgens like testosterone. As a result, they typically develop external sex characteristics of females, while internally they have testes that remain undescended and are located in the pelvis or abdomen.