Puberty

Slide 1 of 14: Synopsis

Human Development Video Activity
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You must read each slide, and complete any questions on the slide, in sequence.
estrogen
Hormone produced primarily by the ovaries that is important for female development, reproduction, and sexual behavior.
gonads
Reproductive organs that produce gametes and sex hormones. The female gonads are the ovaries, and the male gonads are the testes.
growth hormones
Produced in pituitary gland to stimulate growth in the body during childhood and adolescence and to help regenerate and maintain organs and tissues throughout life.
menarche
The first menstruation in girls.
ovaries
A pair of reproductive organs in women located in the pelvis. Ovaries are responsible for producing hormones and eggs, the female gamete.
primary sex characteristics
Bodily organs that are directly involved in fertility and conception, including the vagina, uterus, ovaries, testicles and penis. While these organs are present at birth, they do not reach maturity until puberty.
puberty
The period of human development when the body grows and matures into adulthood. The sexual organs mature as the body readies for the possibility of reproduction.
secondary sex characteristics
Traits that are not directly related to fertility and conception that develop during puberty, such as breasts in girls, facial hair and a deepened voice in boys, and pubic and underarm hair in both sexes.
testes
Also known as testicles. A pair of reproductive organs in men located in the scrotum. Testes are responsible for producing hormones and sperm, the male gamete.
testosterone
Hormone produced primarily by the testes that is important for male development, reproduction, and sexual behavior.
A group of adolescents smiling at the camera

Authors

Rebecca Griffith, College of the Sequoias
Thomas E. Ludwig, Hope College
Catherine Robertson, Grossmont College

Synopsis

In this activity, you will explore the physical developments that take place leading up to and during puberty as girls and boys become women and men. You will learn what factors affect the timing of puberty and furthermore, any effects that experiencing puberty earlier or later than their peers may have on adolescents.

References

Alsaker, F. (1992). Pubertal timing, overweight, and psychological adjustment. Journal of Early Adolescence, 12, 396‐419.

Elias, M. (August 7, 2001). Early puberty in girls linked to obesity, inactivity. USA Today.

Frisch, R. E., & Revelle, R. (1970). Height and weight at menarche and a hypothesis of critical body weights and adolescent events. Science, 169, 397‐398.

Herman‐Giddens, M., Slora, E., Wasserman, R., Bourdony, D., Bhapk, M., Koch, G., & Hasemeier, C. (1997). Secondary sexual characteristics and menses in young girls seen in office practice: A study from the Pediatric Research in Office Setting Network. Pediatrics, 99, 505‐512.

Kaplowitz, P., Slora, E., Wasserman, R., Pedlow, S., & Herman‐Giddens, M. (2001). Earlier onset of puberty in girls: relation to increased body mass and race. Pediatrics, 108, 347‐353.

Tanner, J. M. (1978). Foetus into man: Physical growth from conception to maturity. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Young, C. H., Savola, K. L., & Phelps, E. (1991). Berkeley Growth Study. In Inventory of Longitudinal Studies in the Social Sciences (pp. 131‐133). Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.