Puberty, Health and Biology Foundations

Question 1

Adaptive behaviour

Answer 1

s a modification of behaviour that promotes an organisms survival in the natural habitat.

An extended juvenile period evolved because humans require time to develop a large brain and learn the complexity of human social communities.

Many evolved psychological mechanisms are domain-specific.

Evolved mechanisms are not always adaptive in contemporary society.

Question 2

Twin Study

Answer 2

The behavioural similarity of identical twins (monozygotic twins - same egg that splits into two different persons) is compare with the behavioural similarity of fraternal twins (dizygotic twins - different egg, different sperm, different genetic code, and can be either sex).

Question 3

Hormones

Answer 3

Are powerful chemical substances secreted by the endocrine glands and carried throughout the body by the bloodstream.

Question 4

Exercise

Answer 4

In the 4th century BC, Aristotle commented that the quality of life is determined by its activities. Today, as we know, exercise is one of the pivotal activities that improve the quality of life, both in adolescence and adulthood.

Question 5

The Endocrine System

Answer 5

The onset of puberty is brought about by the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis.

The hypothalamus is a structure in the higher portion of the brain which monitors eating, drinking, and sex.

The pituitary gland is the endocrine gland that controls growth and regulates other glands.

The gonads are the sex glands - the testes in males and the ovaries in females.

Question 6

Evocative genotype-environment correlations

Answer 6

Occur because an adolescents genetically shaped characteristics elicit certain types of physical and social environments. Smiling elects an environmentally positive response etc.

Question 7

Genes

Answer 7

Are the units of hereditary information, are short segments composed of DNA. They direct cells to reproduce themselves and to assemble proteins.

Question 8

Spermarche

Answer 8

The boys first ejaculation of semen, occurs in early to mid-gonadarche.

Question 9

Adrenarche

Answer 9

Involves hormonal changes in the adrenal glands, located just above the kidneys.

These changes occur early, from about 6 to 9 years for girls and one year later for boys, before what is generally considered puberty.

During this period, and continuing through puberty, the adrenal glands secrete androgens such as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).

Question 10

DNA

Answer 10

Is a complex molecule that contains genetic information. It has a double helix shape, like a spiral staircase.

Question 11

Behaviour Genetics

Answer 11

Is the field that seeks to discover the influence of heredity and environment on individual differences in human traits and development.

Question 12

Menarche

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Non shared environmental experiences

Answer 13

Are an shared adolescents unique experiences, both within the family and outside the family; these are not shared with the sibling. Eg: parents often interact differently with each sibling. siblings interact different with each parent. Different peer groups and different friends etc.

Question 14

Puberty

Answer 14

Is brain-neuroendocrine process occurring primarily in early adolescence that provides stimulation for the rapid physical changes that take place during this period of development.

Question 15

Nutrition

Answer 15

An important aspect of health compromising and health enhancing behaviours.

The eating habits of many adolescents are health-compromising and an increasing number of adolescents have an eating disorder.

The family unit and family meal times seems to be related to positive health eating habits.

Question 16

Passive genotype-environment correlations

Answer 16

Occur because biological parents, who are genetically related to the child, provide a rearing environment for the child. Parents may be academics and enjoy reading, therefore they may provide the books for their children to read.

Question 17

Precocious Puberty

Answer 17

Is the term used to describe the very early onset and rapid progression of puberty.

Onset occupes before 8 in girls and 9 in boys.

This early onset is usually treated with medication to stop the secretion of the gonadotropic hormones as it can lead to age inappropriate behaviour, short stature, and early sexual maturation.

Question 18

Gonadarche

Answer 18

Follows adrenarche by about two years; is the period most people think of as puberty. Involves the maturation of:

Primary sexual characteristics, ovaries in females and testes in males.

Secondary sexual characteristics; pubic hair, breast and genital development

The hallmark of gonadarche is reactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG). The initial activation of the HPG axis was during the fatal and neonatal period.

Question 19

Chromosomes

Answer 19

Are thread like structures that contain the remarkable substance deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA.

Question 20

Growth Spurt

Answer 20

Information on Growth Spurt

Question 21

Proteins

Answer 21

Serve as the building blocks of cells as well as the regulators that direct the bodies processes.

Question 22

Gene x Environment (G x E) Interaction

Answer 22

The interaction of a specific measured variation in DNA and a specific measured aspect of our environment.

The science of G x E is very young, and errors have been found, however it is an emerging area of interest for the decades to come.

Question 23

The Epigenetic View

Answer 23

Emphasises that development is the result of an ongoing, bidirectional interchange between between heredity and the environment.

Epigenetic mechanisms involve the actual molecular modification of the DNA strand as a result of environmental inputs in ways that alter gene functioning.

Gene plasticity. Coupling with the environment to cause certain behaviours.

Question 24

Adoption Study

Answer 24

Investigators seek to discover whether the behaviour and psychological characteristics of adopted children are more like those of their adoptive parents, who have provided a home environment or more like those of the biological parents who have contributed their heredity.

Question 25

Active (niche-picking) genotype-environment correlations

Answer 25

Occur when children seek out environments that they find compatible and stimulating. Finding a setting that is suited to ones environment. he active selections of the environment in which they respond to are related to their specific genotype.

Question 26

Evolutionary Psychology

Answer 26

Emphasises the importance of adaption, reproduction, and “survival of the fittest” in explaining behaviour.

Question 27

Genotype

Answer 27

A person’s genetic heritage, the actual genetic material.

Not all of this genetic material is apparent in out observed and measurable characteristics.

Question 28

Natural Selection

Answer 28

Is the evolutionary process that favours those individuals of a species who are best adapted to survive and re-produce.

Charles Darwin (Origen of Species, 1859).

Many of the young of a species do not survive - therefore Darwin believed that there must be an immense struggle for survival, food, water, resources etc, as the species continued to thrive.

Darwin believed that those who do survive, pass on their genes to the next generation, and that they are superior to others in a number of ways.

Survivors are better adapted their world than non-survivors.

Adaptive behaviour is a modification of behaviour that promotes an organisms survival in the natural habitat.

Question 29

The Negative Feedback System

Answer 29

The pituitary gland sends vita signals via the gonadotropins (hormones that stimulate sex glands) to testes or overrates to manufacture the hormone. Then through interaction wth the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland detects when the optimal level of hormones has been reached and maintains it with additional gonadotropin secretions.

Question 30

Shared environmental experiences

Answer 30

Are siblings common experiences, such as their parents personalities or intellectual orientation, the families socioeconomic status, and the neighbourhood they live in.

Question 31

Estrogens

Answer 31

Are the main class of female hormone.

Estradiol is the main estrogen for girls, making changes in breast development, uterine development, and skeletal changes.

Question 32

Phenotype

Answer 32

The way an individuals genotype is expressed in observed and measurable characteristics.

Height.

Weight.

Eye Colour.

Skin Pigmentation.

Intelligence.

Personality.

Social Tendencies.

Question 33

Androgens

Answer 33

Are the main class of male sex hormone.

Testosterone is the main androgen. Linked to the development of the genitals, changes in voice, and sexual desire.