Chapter 2, Section 1

Question 1

Puberty

Answer 1

A period of rapid physical maturation involving hormonal and bodily changes that take place primarily in early adolescence.

Question 2

Hormones

Answer 2

Powerful chemicals secreted by the endocrine glands and carried through the body by the bloodstream.

Question 3

What are the two classes of hormones?

Answer 3

Androgens, and Estrogens

Question 4

Androgen

Answer 4

The main class of male sex hormones

Question 5

Estrogen

Answer 5

The main class of female sex hormones

Question 6

Adrenarche

Answer 6

Puberty phase involving hormonal changes in the adrenal glands, which are located just above the kidneys. These changes occur from about 6 to 9 years of age in girls and about one year later in boys, before what is generally considered the beginning of puberty.

Question 7

Gonadarche

Answer 7

Puberty phase involving the maturation of primarily sexual characteristics (ovaries in females, testes in males) and secondary sexual characteristics (pubic hair, breast, and genital development). This period follows adrenarche by about two years and is what most people think of as puberty.

Question 8

Menarche

Answer 8

The first menstrual period, occurs in mid to late gonadarche in girls.

Question 9

Spermarche

Answer 9

A boy’s first ejaculation of semen, occurs in early to mid-gonadarche.

Question 10

Pubertal Growth Spurt

Answer 10

On the average, the peak of growth spurt that characterizes pubertal changes occurs two years for girls (11 1/2) than for boys (13 1/2).

Question 11

Precocious puberty

Answer 11

The very early onset and rapid progression of puberty. Occurs 10 times more often in girls than in boys.

Question 12

Secular trends

Answer 12

Patterns of the onset of puberty over historical time, especially across generations.