Which of the following physical changes occur during puberty?
Correct Answer(s)
Drag appropriate answer(s) ?here
Girls in stressful environments experience delayed menstruation.
Hormone levels increase.
Secondary sex characteristics develop.
Girls with secure attachments to caregivers menstruate earlier.
Height and weight increase.
Primary sex characteristics develop.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
Correct Answer(s):
- Hormone levels increase.
- Secondary sex characteristics develop.
- Height and weight increase.
- Primary sex characteristics develop.
Explanation:
Puberty is a natural biological process during which a child’s body matures into an adult body capable of reproduction. This period of transformation is driven by significant hormonal changes and is characterized by the development of primary and secondary sex characteristics, as well as growth spurts.
1. Hormone Levels Increase:
During puberty, the hypothalamus signals the pituitary gland to release hormones like luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). These hormones stimulate the gonads (ovaries in girls and testes in boys) to produce sex hormones—estrogen in girls and testosterone in boys—which drive physical and reproductive maturation.
2. Secondary Sex Characteristics Develop:
Secondary sex characteristics refer to physical traits that distinguish the sexes but are not directly involved in reproduction. In girls, these include breast development, the widening of hips, and the growth of body hair. In boys, these changes include the deepening of the voice, facial hair growth, and increased muscle mass.
3. Height and Weight Increase:
A major growth spurt occurs during puberty, leading to a rapid increase in height and weight. This growth is fueled by the release of growth hormones, alongside the effects of sex hormones. Boys and girls experience this at different times, with girls typically starting earlier than boys.
4. Primary Sex Characteristics Develop:
Primary sex characteristics are those directly involved in reproduction. For girls, this includes the maturation of ovaries, the onset of ovulation, and menstruation. In boys, it involves the growth of testes and penis and the production of sperm.
The incorrect statements regarding stressful environments and caregiver attachment reflect external factors that can influence puberty timing but are not universal biological changes of puberty.