Human Lifespan Development Flashcards
Secondary sexual characterstics
Secondary sexual characteristics develop during puberty. Secondary sexual characteristics in males include the growth of pubic hair, and facial hair and the voice deepens. Female secondary sexual characteristics include breasts develop, hips widen, and pubic hair begins to grow.
Primary sexual characterstics
Primary sexual characteristics in males include the enlarging of the penis, testicles growing and sperm production. In females, the uterus and vagina start to grow, ovulation and menstruation begins.
Developmental
Development is a process that creates growth, progress, positive change or the addition of physical, economic, environmental, social and demographic components.
Adolescence
the period following the onset of puberty during which a young person develops from a child into an adult.
Sexual maturity
Sexual maturity is the age or stage when an organism can reproduce. It is sometimes considered synonymous with adulthood.
Pituitary gland
The pituitary is a small, pea-sized gland. It is found at the base of your brain, in line with the top of your nose. Your pituitary acts as your body’s ‘master gland’. It tells other glands in your body what to do.
Puberty
Puberty is the time in life when a boy or girl becomes sexually mature.
Hormones
Hormones are chemical substances that act like messenger molecules in the body.
FSH
The follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) blood test measures the level of FSH in blood. FSH is a hormone released by the pituitary gland, located on the underside of the brain.
LH
Luteinizing hormone (LH) is a glycoprotein hormone that is co-secreted along with follicle-stimulating hormone by the gonadotrophin cells in the adenohypophysis (anterior pituitary). Luteinizing hormone is a part of a neurological pathway comprised of the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and gonads.
oestrogen
Oestrogen is one of the main female sex hormones. It is needed for puberty, the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, bone strength and other functions of the body.
Progesterone
Progesterone plays an important role in your menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Progesterone creates a healthy uterine lining to support a fertilized egg, embryo and fetus.
Testosterone
Testosterone is the male sex hormone that is made in the testicles. Testosterone hormone levels are important to normal male sexual development and functions. During puberty (in the teen years), testosterone helps boys develop male features like body and facial hair, deeper voice, and muscle strength.
