Chapter 2: Physical Development/Biological Foundations Flashcards
Definitions and Concepts
What is PUBERTY?
the changes in physiology, anatomy, and physical functioning that develop a person into a mature adult biologically and prepare the body for sexual reproduction
What is the ENDOCRINE SYSTEM?
a network of glands in the body; through hormones, the glands coordinate their functioning and affect the development and functioning of the body
What are HORMONES?
chemicals, released by the glands of the endocrine system, that affect the development and functioning of the body, including development during puberty
What is the HYPOTHALAMUS?
located in the lower part of the brain beneath the cortex, a gland that affects a wide range of physiological and psychological functioning; stimulates and regulates the production of hormones by other glands, including the ones involved in the initiation of puberty
What is GnRH?
gonadotropin-releasing hormone; released by the hypothalamus that causes gonadotropins to be released by the pituitary gland
What is LEPTIN?
a protein that signals the hypothalamus to initiate the hormonal changes of puberty
What is the PITUITARY GLAND?
a gland about half an inch long located at the base of the brain that releases gonadotropins as part of the body’s preparation for reproduction
What are GONADOTROPINS?
hormones (follicle stimulating hormone [FSh] and lutenizing hormone [LH]) that stimulate the development of gametes in the ovaries and testicles
What is ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC HORMONE (ACTH)?
causes adrenal glands to increase androgen production; same effects as the androgens released by the testes
What is the FEEDBACK LOOP?
system of hormones involving the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, gonads, and adrenal glands, that monitors and adjusts the levels of the sex hormones
What is the ADOLESCENT GROWTH SPURT?
rapid increase in height that takes places at the beginning of puberty
What is PEAK HEIGHT VELOCITY?
adolescent growth spurt is at its maximum
What is ASYNCHRONICITY?
uneven growth of different parts of the body during puberty
extremities first, then arms and legs, facial features, torso/chest/shoulders are the last to reach the growth spurt
What are PRIMARY SEX CHARACTERISTICS?
the production of eggs and sperm and the development of sex organs
What is SPERMARCHE?
first production of sperm in boys at puberty; age 12 on average
What are SECONDARY SEX CHARACTERISTICS?
bodily changes of puberty not directly related to reproduction
body hair, increased sweat production, deepening of the voice, breast development
What are BREAST BUDS?
the first slight enlargement in puberty, one of the first outward signs of puberty in most girls
What is VITAL CAPACITY?
the amount of air that can be exhaled after a deep breath, which increases rapidly during puberty, especdially for boys
What is MAXIMAL OXYGEN UPTAKE?
a measure of the ability of the body to take in oxygen and transport it to various organs; peaks in the early 20s
What is HEALTH PROMOTION?
efforts to reduce health problems in young people through encouraging changes int eh behaviours that put young people at risk
focused on the early adolescent yeras to establish good habits that may endure
What is a SECULAR TREND?
a change in the characteristics of a population over time
EX: the steady decrease in thea verage age of menarche in Western countries over the last 150 years due to improvements in nutrition and medical care
What is REACTION RANGE?
the genes that establish a range of possible development and the environment htat determines where development takes place within that range
What is a MIKVEH?
in Orthodox Jewish culture, a ritual bath that takes place 1 week after menstruation as a way to cleans a woman of the impurity associated; marks readiness for sexual activity following the period during menstruation when this is not permitted
What is the INCEST TABOO?
the prohibition on sexual relations bw family members; beeilve to be biologically based bc children born to closely-related parents are at a higher risk for genetic disorders
What is PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME (PMS)?
the combination of behavioural, emotional, and physical symptoms that can occuri n woment he week before menstruation
What is SEMENARCHE?
first ejaculation in males
What does it mean when schools are AGE-GRADED?
children are grouped on the basis of their age rather than developmental maturity
Describe the NATURE-NURTURE DEBATE.
debate over the relative importance of biology and the enviornment in human development
Describe the theory of GENOTYPE –> ENVIRONMENT EFFECTS
both genetics and the environment make essential contributions to human development, but are difficult to disentagle from each other bc our genes actually influence the kind of environment we experience
Describe PASSIVE GENOTYPE –> ENVIRONMENT EFFECTS
situation in biological families where parents probide both genes and environment to their children, making it difficult to discern the effects of each separately on a child’s development
EX: an artistic parent may raise a child who is also artistic, developed through both genes and an enriching environment
Describe EVOCATIVE GENOTYPE –> ENVIRONMENT EFFECTS
occur when a person’s inherited characteristics evoke responses from others in the environment
EX: a child that is prone towards aggression may evoke a more negative response from education providers and thus not learn as effectively
Describe ACTIVE GENOTYPE –> ENVIRONMENT EFFECTS
occur when people seek out environments to the genotypic characteristics
EX: a child who can read easily asks for more books for Christmas; adolescent who is musically inclined pursues music lessons
