Ch. 2 Flashcards
puberty
change in physiology, anatomy and physical functioning
-develop a person into a mature adult biologically and prepare body for sexual reproduction
endocrine systen
network of glands in body
-through hormones, glands coordinate functioning and affect development and functioning of the body
hormones
chemicals released by glands of endocrine system
-affect development and functioning of the body, including development in puberty
hypothalamus
master gland in lower part of brain under cortex that affects range of physiological and psychological functioning
-stimulates and regulates production of hormones by other glands, including ones in puberty
gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
released by hypothalamus that causes gonadotropins to be released by pituitary
leptin
protein made by fat cells that signal hypothalamus tp start hormonal changes of puberty
pituitary gland
half an inch long, located at base of brain
-releases gonadotropins as part of the body’s preparation for reproduction
gonadotropins
hormones (follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) that stimulate development of gametes
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)
stimulates development of gametes and sex hormones in ovaries and testicles
gonads
ovaries and testicles or sex glands
sex hormones
androgens and estrogens that cause the development of primary and secondary sex characteristics
estradiol
estrogen that have high levels in females from puberty onward and are responsible for female primary and secondary sex characteristics
testosterone
androgen most important in pubertal development among boys
adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
causes adrenal glands to increase androgen production
feedback loop
system of hormones involving hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and the gonads that monitors and adjusts the levels of sex hormones
set point
optimal level of sex hormones in the body
-responses in the glands of the feedback loop cause the produced of sex hormones to be reduced
adolescent growth spurt
rapid increase in height that takes place at the beginning of puberty
peak height velocity
adolescent growth spurt is at its maximum
-girls grow at about 3.5 inches per yr., boys grow at about 4.1 inches per yr.
-girls begin growth spirt earlier and final height earlier
asynchronicity
uneven growth for different parts of the body during puberty
extremities
feet, hands and head
-first to hit the growth spurt, torso, chest and shoulders are last
2 types of sex characteristics
1) primary
-production of eggs and sperm and development of sex organs
2) secondary
-bodily changes of puberty, not including ones related directly to reproduction
ovum
mature egg that develops from follicle in ovaries about every 28 days
spermarche
beginning of development of sperm in boys’ testicles in puberty
vulva
external female sex organs, including the labia majora, the labia minora, and the clitoris
labia majora
part of vulva; Latin for “large lips”
labia minora
part of vulva; Latin for “small lips”
breast buds
first slight enlargement of the breast in girls at puberty
areola
area surrounding nipple on the breast; enlarges at puberty
vital capacity
amount of air that can be exhaled after a deep breath which increases rapidly during puberty, especially for boys
body mass index (BMI)
ratio of height to weight
-BMI thresholds for obesity are determined by medical authorities and vary depending on age group
maximum oxygen uptake or VO2 max
measure of ability of body to take in oxygen and transport it to various organs
-peaks in early 20s
cardiac output
measure of quantity of blood pumped by the heart
-peaks at age 25
health promotion
efforts to reduce health problems in young people through encouraging changes in behaviors that put young people at risk
secular change
change in characteristics of population over time
reaction range
term meaning that genes establish a range of possible development end enviro determine where development takes place within that range
mikveh
ritual bath that Jewish Orthodox women are obliged to take a week after their period as a way of cleansing themselves of impurity believed to be associated w/ menustration
incest taboo
prohibition on sexual relations between between family
-believed to be biologically based because children born to closely related parents are at higher risk for genetic disorders
premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
combination of behavioral, emotional, and physical symptoms that occur in the week before menstruation
semenarche
male’s first ejaculation
age-graded
organized by age, for example in schools
problems for early maturing girls
1) cultural values about phys. appearance
2) phys. dev. draws the attention of older boys
biology affecting psychology
phys. changes proceed w/o regard for emotional or social readiness -> temporary or long-term difficulties
-adult responsibilities and choice often require delay of gratification, executive function, peers for social referencing and community, a developed sense of energy and self concept
theories of biological aging
1) oxidative damage
-cell damage causes aging
2) genetic limits
3) calorie restriction as anti-aging strategy
free-radicals
by-products of metabolism, as well as responses to poor diet, sunlight, radiation and pollution
oxidative damage
free-radicals are molecules or atoms that have unpaired electrons and cause damage than can be repaired or resisted
-as we age, our bodies are less and less able to resist and repair and damage accumulates
genetic limits
each species characterized by lifespan
-embryonic cells of different species will divide a max # of times before entering ‘replicative senescence’ (cells stop dividing)
-bolstered by telomeres, tips on chromosomes necessary for DNA replication and shorten with age
–telomeres seem to be ‘timekeepers’ for the cell
–chronic stress can shorten telomeres
calorie restricting
-first studied 60 years ago, researchers found by feeding lab animals 60-70% of a normal diet -> healthier, longer-living
-human side effects of calorie restricting may outweigh benefits: cold intolerance, increased stress hormones, lower sex hormones, irritability, social withdrawal
body changes
adolescence -> optimal weight, mass, muscle and bone strength
-30: fat increases, 30% Americans obese
-40-60: weight stabilizes, fat moves to abdomen
-60-80: weight decreases due to losses in muscle and bone health, 15% Americans obese
skin changes
40: skin and facial features show wrinkles and lose elasticity
hair changes
adolescence -> fullest
-25: men start to lose hair
-40: men and women experience some hair thinning
senses changes
adolescence -> hearing may begin to decline due to loud activities
-40: losses in near vision occur, cataracts may develop
–slight loss of taste
-60+: dark adaptation loss occurs and cataracts are common, loss of taste for salty and sweet food begins
–hearing loss continues
internal aging - bones
bones gain mass during adolescence and peak around 30
-40+: bone mass declines sharply for women
-risk of fracture increases, osteoarthritis as risk factor for depression, anxiety and loss of independence and normal activity
internal aging - heart
heart function can be challenged with age w/ older adults exercise and as arterial walls thicken and lose elasticity (high blood pressure)
-exercise and healthy habits (diet, not smoking) decrease heart and lung aging
internal aging - neurons
neuronal development finished in adolescence
-40+: memory function starts to decline, neurological declines
internal aging - hormones
full supply during adolescence
-40+: fertility declines for some men, drastically for women
internal aging - immune system
B-cells show abnormalities w/ age that contribute to auto-immune disorders
-T-cells show lower ability to fight infections w/ age
behavioral aging changes
30+: adults experience gradual loss of flexibility, balance, stamina, and athletic ability
-adolesence: sleep cycles lag a few hrs. behind older adults
–1/3 of adults don’t have adequate sleep
-sexual activity maintains frequency until beginning a decline in 60s and 70s
physical effect on psychology
struggle to accept mortality, begin to have poor self-concept
-frustrated by loss of function, and question self-worth
nature-nurture debate
debate over relative importance of biology and environment in human development
genetics and environmental effects
genetic contributions to aging range from determining someone will have a disease to providing a predisposition for development of a disease in the presence of environmental stressors
theory of genotype -> environment effects
theory that both genetics and environment make essential contributions to human development
-difficult to unravel because genes influence the environment we experience.
3 forms of genotype -> environment effects
1) passive
2) evocative
3) active
passive
parents offer both genes and environment for children
evocative
occur when a person’s inherited characteristics evoke responses from others in their environment
active
occur when people seek out environments that correspond to genotypic characteristics
genetics and environmental effects
genetic contributions to aging range from determining someone will have a disease to providing a predisposition for development of a disease in the presence of environmental stressors
gender and cultural differences
men: shorter life expectancy, higher rates of life-threatening disease
-more substance abuse and impulse-control disorders
-women: more chronic disease, higher rates of depression and anxiety
l-ower SES: more likely to decline in physical health earlier than the average
-lower levels of mental health
-U.S.: cultural groups w/ best health due to healthy diet and low smoking are Pacific Islanders and Asian Americans
-Native Americans and Alaskan Native American groups have poorest health
