Reaching The Age Of Adolescence Flashcards
Define adolescence.
The period of life when the body undergoes changes leading to reproductive maturity is called adolescence.
What is menstruation? Explain.
In females, the ova begins to mature with the onset of puberty. One ova matures and is released by one of the ovaries once in about 28-30 days. During this period, the walls of the uterus become thick and soft to receive the egg. In case it is fertilized, it begins to develop. This situation in females is known as pregnancy. If fertilization does not occur, the released egg and the thickened lining of the uterus along with its blood vessels are shed off through the female reproductive organs. This causes bleeding which is called menstruation.
List the changes in the body that take place at puberty.
- Boys and girls attain reproductive maturity, i.e., they become capable of reproduction.
- Hair starts growing on different body parts.
- There is a sudden increase in height. At this time, the long bones, i.e., bones of the arms and legs, elongate and make a person taller.
- The voice of boys becomes hoarse.
- The secretion of sweat glands and sebaceous glands, i.e., oil glands, increases.
- The male sex organs, i.e., testes, develop completely and also begin to produce sperms.
- Females’ ovaries enlarge, and eggs begin to mature. Also, ovaries start releasing mature eggs.
Name the different endocrine glands and the hormones secreted by them.
- Endocrine Gland: Testis
Name of Hormone: Testosterone (in males) - Endocrine Gland: Ovaries
Name of Hormone: Estrogen (in females) - Endocrine Gland: Pituitary Gland
Hormones Secreted: Growth Hormones and Sex Hormones - Endocrine Gland: Thyroid Gland
Name of Hormone: Thyroxine - Endocrine Gland: Adrenal Gland
Name of Hormone: Adrenaline (also called Epinephrine) - Endocrine Gland: Pancreas
Name of Hormone: Insulin
What are sex hormones? Why are they named so? State their functions.
Sex hormones are the hormones secreted by the testis in males and ovaries in females. They are named so because they are responsible for the development of sexual characteristics and reproductive functions in males and females.
Functions of sex hormones:
Male sex hormone (Testosterone):
* Begins changes in boys, such as the growth of facial hair (moustache and beard).
* Boys also develop hair on their chest and under their arms.
Female sex hormone (Estrogen):
* Develops the breasts, which contain milk-secreting glands.
* Girls also develop hair under the arms and in pubic areas.
Short Note on Adam’s Apple.
At puberty, the voice box or larynx begins to grow. In boys, the voice box grows larger than in girls. This growth causes a protruding part in the throat, which is called the Adam’s apple. It is more prominent in boys and contributes to the deepening of their voice.
At what age does the growth in the human body become noticeable
After crossing the age of 10 or 11 years, a sudden growth spurt occurs, and the growth in the human body becomes noticeable.
What is the period of adolescence?
The period of adolescence covers the teenage years, i.e., from 13 to 18 or 19 years of age.
What is puberty?
Puberty is the beginning of several changes that occur during adolescence.
When does a child gain maximum height?
There is a sudden increase in height during puberty. By the time puberty ends, a child becomes an adult and achieves his or her full height.
What are hormones?
Hormones are chemical substances secreted by the endocrine glands.
Short Note on the Sex Determination of Unborn Babies.
All human beings have one pair of sex chromosomes. A female has XX chromosomes, while a male has XY chromosomes. When a sperm carrying an X chromosome fertilizes the egg, the zygote will have XX chromosomes and develop into a female child. If the sperm carries a Y chromosome, the zygote will have XY chromosomes and develop into a male child. Therefore, the sex of the baby is determined by the sex chromosomes contributed by the father.
Write a short note on secondary sexual characters.
We know that testes and ovaries are the main reproductive organs, i.e., primary sex organs. They produce the gametes that are sperms and ova. In girls, breasts begin to develop at puberty, and boys begin to develop facial hair that is beard and moustache.
Explain the Development of Sex Organs in Males and Females
During puberty, significant changes occur in both males and females, leading to the development of their reproductive organs and secondary sexual characteristics.
In males, the primary sex organs, the testes, start to grow and mature. Under the influence of the hormone testosterone, the testes begin producing sperm. The hormone also causes the development of other male characteristics such as the growth of facial hair, deepening of the voice, and the development of testes. These changes mark the onset of male reproductive maturity.
In females, the primary sex organs, the ovaries, begin to mature. Under the influence of the hormone estrogen, the ovaries start releasing mature eggs, and the uterus also begins to develop. These hormonal changes lead to the development of secondary sexual characteristics such as the enlargement of the breasts and the widening of the hips. The onset of menstruation signals the beginning of the female’s reproductive capability.
These changes in both males and females represent the transition from childhood to adulthood, marking the beginning of their ability to reproduce.
