Biological Foundations Flashcards
endocrine system
a network of glands in the body.the glands coordinate function & affect the development and functioning of the body using hormones
hormones
chemicals, that affect the development & functioning of the body, including development during puberty
puberty
the changes in physiology, anatomy, & physical functioning that develop a person into a mature adult biologically & prepare the body for sexual reproduction
hypothalamus
lower part of the brain under cortex
in charge of the endocrine system/ releasing hormones
stimulates & regulates the production of hormones by other glands, including the ones involved in the initiation of puberty
GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone)
hormone that causes gonadotropins to be released
by the pituitary gland
leptin
a protein, produced by fat cells, that starts puberty
that signals the hypothalamus to initiate hormonal changes of puberty
pituitary gland
base of brain
a gland that releases a hormone to prepare the body for reproduction
that releases gonadotropins as part of the body’s preparation for reprod
gonadotrophins
hormones (FSH & LH) that stimulate the development of gametes
FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone)
along with LH, stimulates the development of gametes & sex hormones in the ovaries & testicles
(LH) luteinizing hormone
along with FSH, stimulates the development of gametes & sex hormones in the ovaries & testicles
gonads
the ovaries & testicles
AKA the “sex glands”
sex hormones
androgens & estrogens that cause development of primary & secondary sex characters
estrogens
the sex hormones that have especially high levels in females from puberty onward & are mostly responsible for female primary & secondary sex characteristics
androgens
the sex hormones that have especially high levels in males from puberty onward & are mostly responsible for male primary & secondary sex characteristics
estradial
the estrogen most important in pubertal development among girls
testosterone
the androgen most important in pubertal development among boys
ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone)
the hormone that causes the adrenal glands to increase androgen production
feedback loop
system of hormones which monitors & adjusts the levels of the sex hormones
involving the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, & the gonads,
set point
optimal level of sex hormones in the body. when this point is reached, responses in the glands of the feedback loop cause the production of sex hormones to be reduced
adolescent growth spurt
the rapid increase in height that takes place at the beginning of puberty
peak height velocity
the point at which the adolescent growth spurt is at its maximum rate
asynchronicity
uneven growth of different parts of the body during puberty
extremities
the feet, hands, and head
primary sex characteristics
the production of eggs & sperm & the development of the sex organs
secondary sex characteristics
bodily changes of puberty not directly related to reproductions
menarche
a girl’s first menstrual period
ovum
mature egg that develops from follicle in ovaries about every 28 days
spermarche
beginning of development of sperm in boys’ testicles at puberty
vulva
external female sex organs, including the labia majora, the labia minora, & the clitoris
labia majora
part of vulva; Latin for “large lips”
labia minora
part of vulva; Latin for “small lips”
clitoris
part of vulva in which females’ sexual sensations are concentrated
a majority of girls do not experience ovulation within the first 2 years of menstruation
true
breast buds
the first slight enlargement of the breast in girls at puberty
areola
area surrounding the nipple on the breast, enlarges at puberty
vital capacity
the amount of air that can be exhaled after a deep breath, which increases rapidly during puberty, especially for boys
BMI (body mass index)
a ratio of height to weight; ___ thresholds for obesity are determined by medical authorities & vary depending on age group
maximum oxygen intake
a measure of the ability of the body to take in oxygen & transport it to various organs; peaks in the early 20’s
cardiac output
a measure of the quantity of blood pumped by the heart
health promotion
efforts to reduce health problems in young people through encouraging changes in the behaviors that put young people at risk
secular trend
a change in the characteristics of a population over time
reaction range
term that genes establish a range of possible development & environment determines where development takes place within that range
incest taboo
the prohibition on sexual relations between family members. believed to be biologically based, as children born to closely related parents are at higher risk for genetic disorders
PMS (pre-menstual syndrome)
the combination of behavioral, emotional, and physical symptoms that occur in some females the week before menstruation
semenarche
a male’s first ejaculation
age graded
organized by age, for example in schools
nature-nurture debate
debate over the relative importance of biology & the environment in human development
theory of genotype (—>) environment effects
theory that both genetics & environment make essential contributions to human development but are difficult to unravel because our genes actually influence the kind of environment we experience
passive genotype (—>) environment effects
situation in biological families that parents provide both genes & environment for their children, making genes & environment difficult to separate in their effects on children’s development
evocative genotype (—>) environment effects
occur when a person’s inherited characteristics evoke responses from other in their environment
active genotype (—>) environment effects
occur when people seek out environments that correspond to their genotypic characteristics
mikveh
a ritual bath that Jewish Orthodox women are obliged to take a week after their period as a way of cleansing themselves of the impurity believed to be associated with menstruation
