Puberty, Health, and Biological Foundations

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• Puberty, Health, and Biological Foundations

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Puberty

• The period of rapid physical maturation involving
  hormonal and bodily changes that take place
  primarily in early adolescence

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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
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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

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The Endocrine System

• Major Endocrine Glands Involved in Pubertal Change

Fig. 3.2
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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

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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 boys first ejaculation of semen
• Menarche A girls first menstrual period

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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

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Growth Spurt

• Pubertal Growth Spurt

Fig. 3.4
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Sexual Maturation

• Males
• Increase penis and testicle size
• Pubic hair
• Voice change
• Spermarche
• Armpit hair
• Facial hair

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Sexual Maturation

• Females
• Breasts enlarge
• Pubic hair
• Armpit hair
• Menarche

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Sexual Maturation
Normal Range and Average Development of Sexual
Characteristics in Males and Females
Fig. 3.5
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The Age at Menarche has Declined
Median Ages at Menarche in Selected Northern
European Countries and the United States from
1845 to 1969
Fig. 3.7
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Psychological Dimensions of Puberty

• Body Image
• Hormones and Behavior
• Menarche and the Menstrual Cycle
• Early and Late Maturation
• Are Pubertys Effects Exaggerated?
• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vDi2Tgx05EjMmodere
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