2.1

Question 1

Humans have evolved a longer childhood than other primates, which means that the development of sexual maturity is

Answer 1

delayed

Question 2

The nervous system develops very quickly both before the baby is born and

Answer 2

afterwards

Question 3

A human baby is born with a large brain that develops quickly into

Answer 3

its adult size

Question 4

The reproductive organs do not develop much until puberty - this means that a human child has an extended childhood when it is dependent upon its

Answer 4

parents

Question 5

This growth patten allows a human child to

Answer 5

• Learn advanced skills (tool use and language)
• Ensures that a human does not become a parent until it has learned advanced social skills (as bringing up a highly dependent child requires considerable skills)

Question 6

Puberty is the stage in life when the

Answer 6

sex organs and secondary sex characteristics develop

Question 7

Puberty occurs in males between the ages of…

Answer 7

12-16

Question 8

(Male puberty) the hypothalamus in the brain releases a hormone called…

Answer 8

Gonadotrophin releasing factor (GnRF)

Question 9

(Male puberty) GnRF stimulates the release of 2 different hormones from the pituitary gland called…

Answer 9

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Luteinising Hormone (LH)

Question 10

(Male puberty) LH is sometimes called…

Answer 10

Interstitial cell stimulating hormone (ICSH)

Question 11

(Male puberty) FSH and LH stimulate the release of another hormone….

Answer 11

testosterone from the testes

Question 12

(Male puberty) the changes that occur are mainly the result of

Answer 12

testosterone

Question 13

(Male puberty) 7 changes that occur are:

Answer 13

• Growth of cartilage in the thorax (chest) and pectoral girdle (shoulders) = broader and more muscular
• Growth of penis and testes
• Growth of pubic hair
• Growth of axillary (underarm) and facial hair, and often chest and body hair
• Growth of the larynx, causing voice to deepen
• General body growth and development of muscles
• Increase activity of sweat gland and sebaceous glands

Question 14

Female puberty occurs between the ages of:

Answer 14

10-15

Question 15

(Female puberty) the release of GnRF by the hypothalamus triggers the release of

Answer 15

FSH and LH from the pituitary gland

Question 16

(Female puberty) FSH and LH interact to cause the events of the

Answer 16

menstrual cycle

Question 17

(Female puberty) The time of the first menstrual cycle in a female is called the…

Answer 17

Menarche

Question 18

(Female puberty) a female is not usually fertile until about

Answer 18

2 years after the menarche

Question 19

(Female puberty) the development of secondary sex characteristics in females is the result of female sex hormones, especially

Answer 19

oestrogen

Question 20

(Female puberty) 8 changes that occur are:

Answer 20

• Growth of the female sex organs (ovaries, oviducts, uterus and vagina)
• Growth of breasts
• Growth of pubic hair
• Growth of axillary (underarm) hair
• Increase of cartilage in the pelvic girdle (hips) which causes the diameter of the pelvic girdle to increase
• The ‘carrying angle’ of the arms and legs changes, so they are at a slight angle
• Accumulation of fat (especially on hips, breasts and thighs)
• Increased activity of sweat glands and sebaceous

Question 21

Although we know that GnRF triggers puberty, we do not know the stimulus that causes the hormone to be released. One factor that seems to stimulate its release is diet. Over the past 150 years, the age at which females begin menstruating has dramatically

Answer 21

decreased