chap chapter 2

Question 1

Endocrine system

Answer 1

A system of glands that produce hormones, as well as parts of the brain and nervous system that regulate hormone production.

Question 2

Hormones

Answer 2

Chemical substances that circulate through the bloodstream and regulate many bodily functions.

Question 3

Hypothalamus

Answer 3

A part of the brain that monitors and regulates many bodily functions, including hormone production.

Question 4

Pituitary

Answer 4

An endocrine gland that is considered the master gland of the endocrine system.

Question 5

Estrogens

Answer 5

Female sex hormones, principally estradiol, secreted mainly by the ovaries.

Question 6

Androgens

Answer 6

Male sex hormones, principally testosterone, secreted mainly by the testes.

Question 7

HPG axis

Answer 7

A feedback loop that regulates the hormones involved in puberty and growth.

Question 8

Adrenarche

Answer 8

The time very early in puberty when the adrenal glands begin to produce a hormone called DHEA.

Question 9

Menarche

Answer 9

The time at which a girl has her first menstrual period.

Question 10

Leptin

Answer 10

A protein secreted by fat cells that may play a role in the timing of menarche.

Question 11

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I)

Answer 11

A substance produced in the liver that may be linked to the onset of puberty.

Question 12

Adolescent growth spurt

Answer 12

A period of rapid physical development that lasts from about 10 to 16 for girls and 12 to 18 for boys.

Question 13

Peak height velocity

Answer 13

The fastest change in height, which occurs at around 12 for girls and 14 for boys.

Question 14

Asynchronicity

Answer 14

The fact that, during early adolescence, different parts of the body change at different times and different rates.

Question 15

Ovum

Answer 15

The female sex cell, or egg, located in the ovary within a structure called a follicle.

Question 16

Sperm

Answer 16

he male sex cell, produced in huge quantities by the testes beginning at puberty.

Question 17

Tanner stages

Answer 17

A system used to rate the development of secondary sex characteristics during puberty.

Question 18

Pheromones

Answer 18

Airborne chemicals believed to signal emotional states to others.

Question 19

Secular trend

Answer 19

The tendency in recent centuries for puberty to occur at younger ages. Secular refers to things that change over a long period of time.

Question 20

Reaction range

Answer 20

A biologically influenced spread in some characteristic, such as height, within which an individual will end up.

Question 21

Semenarche

Answer 21

A boy’s first ejaculation of seminal fluid.

Question 22

Nocturnal orgasm

Answer 22

For boys, a spontaneous ejaculation of seminal fluid while asleep; a “wet dream.” For girls, an orgasm while asleep.

Question 23

Stage termination hypothesis

Answer 23

The idea that girls who enter puberty early suffer because they did not have time to accomplish the normal tasks of childhood.

Question 24

Adult resemblance hypothesis

Answer 24

The idea that young adolescents who seem more adult-like will be treated more as adults, for better or worse.

Question 25

Gender intensification

Answer 25

The process in which young adolescents come under greater pressure to conform to traditional gender roles.

Question 26

Distancing hypothesis

Answer 26

The idea that as children become more sexually mature, they have less contact with parents.

Question 27

Puberty rites

Answer 27

Cultural rituals such as the Jewish bar and bas mitzvah, confirmation in a church, “Sweet Sixteen” parties, and the Hispanic quinceañero that mark a child’s passage to adolescence.

Question 28

cerebral cortex

Answer 28

The outermost layer of the brain that is the site of most higher-order brain functions.

Question 29

Synaptic pruning

Answer 29

A process in which brain circuits that are less used are eliminated, leading to a faster, more efficient cognitive system

Question 30

Myelination

Answer 30

The development of sheaths of myelin insulation along the axons of brain cells, making their operation more sensitive and precise.

Question 31

Body image

Answer 31

The ways people perceive, think of, and feel about their bodies.

Question 32

Metabolism

Answer 32

The rate at which the body uses energy.

Question 33

How does the endocrine system regulate puberty and growth?”

Answer 33

The endocrine system, through glands and hormones like GnRH, LH, and FSH, regulates puberty and growth. The hypothalamus controls hormone production, influencing puberty onset and bodily changes.”

Question 34

“What is the role of the HPA axis in puberty?”

Answer 34

The HPA axis involves the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands. It regulates stress responses and is implicated in the timing and progression of puberty through hormone release.”

Question 35

“What causes early puberty, and what are the implications?”

Answer 35

“Early puberty can be due to genetic factors, higher body mass index, or environmental influences. It may lead to psychological effects like lower self-esteem and higher risk-taking behaviors.”

Question 36

“What is precocious puberty, and why are its implications significant, especially for females?”

Answer 36

“Precocious puberty is the unusually early onset of puberty. For females, it can lead to social and emotional challenges, early sexual activity, and potential health risks due to accelerated growth.”

Question 37

What are general reasons for delayed puberty?”

Answer 37

“Delayed puberty can be caused by factors like genetics, hormonal imbalances, malnutrition, or chronic health issues. It may result in social stress and delayed psychosocial development.”

Question 38

How does puberty affect brain development and judgment, according to Dr. Sarah’s Ted Talk?”

Answer 38

“During puberty, the brain undergoes significant development, particularly in the prefrontal cortex. This affects judgment, decision-making, and risk-taking behaviors.”

Question 39

“What is the significance of the prefrontal cortex in adolescents?”

Answer 39

The prefrontal cortex is crucial for executive functions like planning, impulse control, and decision-making. Its development during adolescence is pivotal for mature judgment.”

Question 40

What is the HPG axis and how does it function?”

Answer 40

The HPG axis consists of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and gonads, forming a feedback loop that regulates hormones for puberty and growth. The hypothalamus releases GnRH, which prompts the pituitary to produce LH and FSH, stimulating the gonads to produce sex hormones

Question 41

What factors influence the timing of puberty?”

Answer 41

Genetic makeup, environmental factors like diet, healthcare, physical labor, and even altitude can impact when a child enters puberty. Improved living conditions tend to lower the average age of puberty onset​

Question 42

How do puberty-induced brain changes affect behavior?”

Answer 42

“Puberty brings about brain changes that impact its structure and function, affecting behavior, judgment, self-control, and risk-taking

Question 43

“Describe the biological significance of puberty.”

Answer 43

“Puberty is a set of synchronized biological events transforming a child into an adult with significant changes in body size, shape, and sexual function

Question 44

What hormonal changes occur at the onset of puberty?”

Answer 44

“Increased levels of sex hormones and growth hormones lead to physical changes like growth in height, weight, body shape, and sexual maturation

Question 45

What is adrenarche and its significance?”
Back: “Adrenarche is the early phase of puberty when the adrenal glands begin producing DHEA, which leads to the first appearance of pubic hair and may influence early feelings of sexual attraction

Answer 45

What is adrenarche and its significance?”
Back: “Adrenarche is the early phase of puberty when the adrenal glands begin producing DHEA, which leads to the first appearance of pubic hair and may influence early feelings of sexual attraction

Question 46

“Explain the process of menarche and its variability in timing.”

Answer 46

Menarche is the first menstrual period. It typically occurs about 2 years after early puberty signs but can range from 6 months to over 5 years. It’s a myth that girls cannot get pregnant early in adolescence​

Question 47

How does puberty affect the production of sperm in boys?”

Answer 47

“Testes grow significantly during puberty, producing large quantities of sperm, starting early in the process​

Question 48

Are mood swings in adolescents linked to hormones?”

Answer 48

“Adolescents are moodier, partly due to rapid and erratic hormone level changes. Hormones and emotions affect each other in a feedback loop, with social factors and life events also playing significant roles​

Question 49

What challenges do early adolescents face emotionally and socially?”

Answer 49

Early adolescents experience stressful transitions and unpredictable events that make them more emotionally vulnerable due to a lack of experience to draw upon for comparison and evaluation​

Question 50

How does puberty affect the voice?”

Answer 50

“Puberty causes vocal cords to lengthen and the larynx to expand, making voices lower and more resonant, with the change more pronounced in boys

Question 51

How variable is the timing of puberty among individuals?”

Answer 51

“The timing of puberty varies widely due to genetic, environmental, social class, cultural background, and individual factors, leading to a broad age range for its onset and progression​