3 Puberty Health and Biological Foundations Puberty The
3 Puberty, Health, and Biological Foundations
Puberty • The period of rapid physical maturation involving hormonal and bodily changes that take place primarily in early adolescence
Feedback System of Sex Hormones LH-RF (lutenizing hormone-releasing factor) and FSH-RF (follicle stimulating hormone-releasing factor) stimulate pituitary gland LH (lutenizing) and FSH (follicle stimulating) stimulate gonads (Testes in males, ovaries in females) Fig. 3. 3
The Endocrine System • Hypothalamus – Structure in the brain – Secretes releasing factor • Pituitary Gland – Regulates other glands – Secretes FSH and LH • Gonads – Testes, ovaries – Secretes sex hormones
The Endocrine System Major Endocrine Glands Involved in Pubertal Change Fig. 3. 2
Hormones • Powerful chemicals secreted by the endocrine glands; carried through the body by the bloodstream. Androgens: The main class of male sex hormones Estrogens: The main class of female sex hormones
Adrenarche • Involves hormonal changes in the adrenal glands, from about 6 -9 years of age – Gonadarche: What most people think of as puberty; involving sexual maturation and development of reproductive maturity – Spermarche: A boy’s first ejaculation of semen – Menarche: A girl’s first menstrual period
Growth Spurt • Occurs 2 years earlier for girls (age 11. 5) than boys (13. 5) on average • Girl increase 3. 5 inches per year, boys about 4, during this period • Weight gain follows roughly same timetable as height gain • Girls gain hip width while boys gain shoulder width
Growth Spurt Pubertal Growth Spurt Fig. 3. 4
Sexual Maturation • Males – Increase penis and testicle size – Pubic hair – Voice change – Spermarche – Armpit hair – Facial hair
Sexual Maturation • Females – Breasts enlarge – Pubic hair – Armpit hair – Menarche
Sexual Maturation Normal Range and Average Development of Sexual Characteristics in Males and Females Fig. 3. 5
Ages at Menarche in Selected Northern The Age. Median at Menarche has European Countries and the United States from 1845 to 1969 Declined Fig. 3. 7
Psychological Dimensions of Puberty • • • Body Image Hormones and Behavior Menarche and the Menstrual Cycle Early and Late Maturation Are Puberty’s Effects Exaggerated? http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Di 2 Tgx 05 Ej. M&mode=related&search=
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