Chapter 3 - The Biological and Physical Changes of Adolescence Flashcards
Hormones
Hormones are chemical messengers that are secreted directly into the bloodstream and that are regulated by the endocrine system.
Endocrine System
The endocrine system is the system of the body that includes the glands that produce hormones and those parts of the nervous system that activate, inhibit, and control hormone production.
Androgens
Androgens are male sex hormones.
Testosterone
Testosterone is a sex hormone, present in higher levels in males than in females.
Estrogens
Estrogens are female sex hormones.
Estradiol
Estradiol is a sex hormone that is present in higher levels in females than males and contributes to breast development, distribution of body fat, and regulation of the menstrual cycle.
Progesterone
Progesterone is a sex hormone that is present in higher levels in females than in males and that contributes to the regulation of the menstrual cycle.
Adrenarche
Adrenarche is the initial phase of puberty that involves activity of the adrenal androgens.
Gonadarche
Gonadarche is the second stage of puberty that is regulated by the neuroendocrine system.
Adrenal Androgens
Adrenal androgens are hormones produced by the adrenal glands and that initiate the initial stage of puberty.
Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus is a center within the brain that regulates hormonal activity and regulatory activities such as eating, drinking, and body temperature.
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH)
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone is a hormone released by the hypothalamus and involved in regulating the timing of pubertal events.
Anterior Pituitary
The anterior pituitary is a center within the brain that produces hormones that act on the gonads.
Gonads
Gonads are the sex glands; they are the ovaries in females and the testes in males.
Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
Luteinizing hormone is a gonadotropic hormone produced by the anterior pituitary that acts on the gonads.
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Follicle-stimulating hormone is a gonadotropic hormone produced by the anterior pituitary that acts on the gonads.
Gonadostat
The gonadostat are cells within the hypothalamus that are sensitive to the level of circulating hormones and are part of the feedback system regulating the timing of puberty.
Primary Sex Characteristics
Primary sex characteristics are sex differences in the reproductive system that develop during puberty.
Secondary Sex Characteristics
Secondary sex characteristics are differences between females and males in body structure and appearance, other than differences in the reproductive system; this includes differences in skeletal structure, hair distribution, and skin texture.
Growth Spurt
The growth spurt is a period of rapid growth that often occurs during puberty.
Ovaries
Ovaries are structures within the female reproductive system flanking the uterus that house the immature eggs and produce female sex hormones.
Ovum (plural ova)
The ovum is the female sex cell, also called the egg; the male equivalent is sperm.
Uterus
The uterus is a muscular enclosure at the top of the vagina that holds the fetus during pregnancy.
Vagina
The vagina is the muscular tube in females leading from the labia at its opening to the uterus.
Cervix
The cervix is the opening to the uterus.
Hymen
The hymen is a fold of skin partially covering the opening to the vagina.
Clitoris
The clitoris is the part of the external genitals in females that is the primary source of sexual stimulation.
Glans
The glans is the part of the clitoris or penis that is most sensitive to stimulation.
Shaft
The shaft is the part of the clitoris or penis that becomes erect during sexual stimulation.
Prepuce
The prepuce is a thin skin covering the glans of the clitoris or penis.
Testes
Testes are structures within the male reproductive system contained in the scrotum that produce sperm and male sex hormones.
Sperm
Sperm is the male sex cell; the female equivalent is the ovum.
Circumcision
Circumcision is the surgical removal of the prepuce covering the glans of the penis.
Female Genital Mutilation
Female genital mutilation is the cutting out of the entire clitoris, the primary source of sexual stimulation in females, along with removing the inner labia and sewing shut most of the outer labia.
Outer Labia
The outer labia are the outer folds of skin surrounding the opening of the vagina and the clitoris.
Menarche
The menarche is the occurrence of a girl’s first menstrual period.
Anovulatory
Anovulatory menstrual cycles are menstrual cycles that do not include the release of an egg.
Leptin
Leptin is a hormone secreted by fat cells that may play a role in menarche.
Spermarche
Spermarche is a boy’s first ejaculation of seminal fluid.
Nocturnal Emmision
A nocturnal emission is a spontaneous ejaculation of seminal fluid during sleep; it is sometimes called a wet dream.
Secular Trend
The secular trend is the earlier onset of puberty, faster growth, and larger size reached by adolescents today than in the past.
Asynchrony
Asynchrony refers to the differences in the timing of pubertal changes within an adolescent or from one adolescent to the next.
Early Maturation
Early maturation is pubertal maturation occurring earlier in adolescents than the norm for their sex.
Late Maturation
Late maturation is pubertal maturation occurring later in adolescents than the norm for their sex.
Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is the individual’s overall positive or negative evaluation of herself or himself.
Maturational Deviance Hypothesis
The maturational deviance hypothesis is an explanation for the effects of asynchronous development that attributes the effects of timing to changing adolescents’ status relative to their peers.
Stage Termination Hypothesis
The stage termination hypothesis is an explanation for the effects of early maturation as being because the adolescents did not have as much time as needed to complete the developmental tasks of middle childhood.
Adult Status Hypotheseis
The adult status hypothesis is an explanation for the effects of asynchronous development that attributes the effects of timing to the status that awaits adolescents of either sex when they become adults.
Body Image
Body image is individuals’ satisfaction or dissatisfaction with their image of their bodies.
Overweight
Individuals are considered to be overweight when their weight is at or above the 95th percentile for their body mass index.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
The body mass index is one’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of one’s height in meters; since body fatness varies with age and sex, percentiles for BMI are specific to age and gender.
Poor Families
Poor families are families with incomes below the federal poverty level.
Low-Income Families
Low-income families are families with incomes no greater than twice the federal poverty level.
Federal Minimum Wage
Federal minimum wage refers to federal policy determining the minimum wage to be paid workers.
