Discuss the hormonal changes that affect both boys and girls during puberty.
What will be an ideal response?
Puberty results from the production of various hormones. An increase in gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in the hypothalamus leads to a rise in two key reproductive hormones: follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). In girls, increased levels of FSH lead to the onset of menstruation. In boys, LH initiates the secretion of testosterone and androstenedione. Puberty is marked by two stages: (1) the activation of the adrenal glands and (2) the maturing of the sex organs a few years later.
The first stage of puberty occurs between ages 6 and 8. During this stage, the adrenal glands located above the kidneys secrete gradually increasing levels of androgens, principally dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). By age 10, levels of DHEA are 10 times what they were between ages 1 and 4. DHEA influences the growth of pubic, axillary (underarm), and facial hair. It also contributes to faster body growth, oilier skin, and the development of body odor.
The maturing of the sex organs triggers a second burst of DHEA production, which then rises to adult levels. In this second stage, a girl's ovaries increase their output of estrogen, which stimulates growth of female genitals and development of breasts and pubic and underarm hair. In boys, the testes increase the manufacture of androgens, particularly testosterone, which stimulate growth of male genitals, muscle mass, and body hair. Boys and girls have both types of hormones, but girls have higher levels of estrogen, and boys have higher levels of androgens. In girls, testosterone influences growth of the clitoris as well as of the bones and of pubic and axillary hair.
You might also like to view...
The natural substance found in the body that has marijuana-like effects is called ayahuasca
Indicate whether the statement is true or false
According to Arnett, a new social status or age period now stretches from the late teens to the mid-twenties during which young people take longer to settle into their adult roles. This new age period is referred to as------------------ adulthood
Fill in the blank with correct word
Which of the following sets of correlations is correctly ordered from the highest to the lowest degree of relationship?
A) ?0.91, +0.83, +0.10, 0.03 B) ?0.91, +0.83, 0.03, 0.10 C) ?+0.83, +0.10, 0.91, 0.03 D) ?+0.83, +0.10, 0.03, 0.91
According to some research, a newborn who smiles at a smiling adult is engaging in
A. deferred imitation. B. invisible imitation. C. visible imitation. D. circular reaction.