Chapter 1 - Biological Transition Flashcards
Endocrine System
system for hormones
Hormones
specialized substances from endocrine glands
Glands
organs that stimulate particular parts of the body to respond in specific ways to particular hormones
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons
specialized neurons that are activated by certain pubertal hormones
Set point
A psychological level or setting that the body attempts to maintain through self regulating system
Feedback loop
a cycle through which two or more bodily functions respond to and regulate each other such as that formed by the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the gonads
Gonads
the glands that secrete sex hormones in males, the testes in females, the ovaries
Testes
male gonads
Ovaries
female gonads
Androgens
a class of sex hormones secreted by the gonads. found in both sexes but in higher levels among females than males following puberty
Estrogens
a class of sex hormones
secreted by gonads
both sexes
higher levels among females than males (following puberty)
HPG (hypothalamic pituitary gonadal) axis
the neurophysiological pathway
involves the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland and the gonads
Adrenarche
the maturation of the adrenal glands that takes place during adolescence
Cortisol
hormone produced when a person is exposed to stress
Kisspeptin
a brain chemical believed to trigger the onset of puberty
Leptin
a protein produced by the fat cells that may play a role in the onset of puberty through its impact on kiss peptin
Melatonin
a hormone secreted by the brain that contributes to sleepiness and the triggers the onset of puberty through its impact on kisspeptin
Adolescent growth spurt
the dramatic increase in height and weight that occurs during puberty
Peak height velocity
the point at which the adolescent is growing most rapidly
Epiphysis
the closing of the ends of bones, which terminates growth after the adolescent growth spurt has been completed
Secondary sex charactertistics
the manifestation of sexual maturity at puberty including the development of breasts
the growth of facial and body hair and changes in the voice
Tanner stages
a widely used system that describes the five stages of pubertal development
Pheromones
a class of chemicals secreted by the animals that stimulates certain behaviours in other members of the species
Secular trend
the tendency, over the past two centuries for the individuals to be larger in stature and to reach puberty earlier, primarily because of improvements in health and nutrition
