KEY TERMS

Match each of the terms on the left with its definition on the right. Click on the term first and then click on the matching definition. As you match them correctly they will move to the bottom of the activity.

Question

puberty
menarche
spermarche
hormone
pituitary
adrenal glands
HPA (hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal) axis
gonads
HPG (hypothalamus–pituitary–gonad) axis
estradiol
testosterone
circadian rhythm
secular trend
leptin
growth spurt
body image
anorexia nervosa
bulimia nervosa
primary sex characteristics
secondary sex characteristics
child sexual abuse
sexually transmitted infection (STI)
A disease spread by sexual contact, including syphilis, gonorrhea, genital herpes, chlamydia, and HIV.
A sex hormone, the best known of the androgens (male hormones); secreted in far greater amounts by males than by females.
A boy’s first ejaculation of sperm. Erections can occur as early as infancy, but ejaculation signals sperm production. Spermarche may occur during sleep (in a “wet dream”) or via direct stimulation.
A day–night cycle of biological activity that occurs approximately every 24 hours. (Circadian means “about a day.”)
Two glands, located above the kidneys, that produce hormones (including the “stress hormones” epinephrine [adrenaline] and norepinephrine).
A hormone that affects appetite and is believed to affect the onset of puberty. Leptin levels increase during childhood and peak at around age 12.
Physical traits that are not directly involved in reproduction but that indicate sexual maturity, such as a man’s beard and a woman’s breasts.
Any erotic activity that arouses an adult and excites, shames, or confuses a child, whether or not the victim protests and whether or not genital contact is involved.
A girl’s first menstrual period, signaling that she has begun ovulation. Pregnancy is biologically possible, but ovulation and menstruation are often irregular for years after menarche.
The parts of the body that are directly involved in reproduction, including the uterus, ovaries, testicles, and penis.
A person’s idea of how his or her body looks.
A gland in the brain that responds to a signal from the hypothalamus by producing many hormones, including those that regulate growth and that control other glands, among them the adrenal and sex glands.
An eating disorder characterized by self-starvation. Affected individuals voluntarily undereat and overexercise, depriving their vital organs of nutrition. Anorexia can be fatal.
The relatively sudden and rapid physical growth that occurs during puberty. Each body part increases in size on a schedule: Weight usually precedes height, and growth of the limbs precedes growth of the torso.
The paired sex glands (ovaries in females, testicles in males). The gonads produce hormones and gametes.
A sequence of hormone production originating in the hypothalamus and moving to the pituitary and then to the adrenal glands.
An eating disorder characterized by binge eating and subsequent purging, usually by induced vomiting and/or use of laxatives.
A sex hormone, considered the chief estrogen. Females produce much more estradiol than males do.
An organic chemical substance that is produced by one body tissue and conveyed via the bloodstream to another to affect some physiological function.
The long-term upward or downward direction of various measurements, as a result of modern conditions. For example, improved nutrition and medical care over the past 200 years has led to earlier puberty and greater average height.
The time between the first onrush of hormones and full adult physical development. Puberty usually lasts three to five years. Many more years are required to achieve psychosocial maturity.
A sequence of hormone production originating in the hypothalamus and moving to the pituitary and then to the gonads.