Adolescence

puberty

time between the first onrush of hormones and full adult physical development

3-5 years

How long does puberty last?

hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal

Puberty begins with a hormonal sign from the ___________ to the __________ gland. This gland then signals the ______ glands and gonads to produce more of their hormones.

gonads (ovaries, testes)

glands that produce gametes

hormones

A surge of _____ affects bodies, brains, and behavior before any visible signs of puberty appear.

Estradiol

• sex hormone, considered the chief estrogen

• females produce more of this than males do

Testosterone

sex hormone that is secreted in greater amounts by males than by females

8-12 years

onset of puberty for girls

first period

menarche

12 years 4 months

age of first period on average

• the girl is now ovulating

• it is biologically possible for her to become pregnant

What two things does the first period (menarche) mean?

4, 20

For girls, biological growth ends about ___ years after puberty begins. For males, biological growth may continue until about age ___.

13

Boys have first signs of puberty at age ____.

sperm

Boys are able to produce _____ at puberty.

• hormones in food supply (GMOs)

• access for more food

• access to better medicine

• stress (speeds up puberty)

• body fat levels (body fat increases)

What are some possible causes of earlier puberty?

• emotional and behavioral health problems (anxiety, depression, more risk-taking behaviors like stealing)

• later health problems such as breast cancer, diabetes, stroke

What can early puberty lead to?

lower self-esteem, more depression, poorer body image

What do early-maturing girls tend to have?

• attracted to older boys

• enter into abusive relationships more often than other girls

Regarding attraction and relationships, what do early-maturing girls tend to be?

more aggressive, law-breaking, alcohol-abusing

behaviors of early-maturing boys

anxious, depressed, afraid of sex

feelings and emotions of early-maturing boys

• The hypothalamus releases hormones to the pituitary gland, which sends signals to the adrenal gland and gonads

• estrogen is increased in females, testosterone in males

• leads to growth spurt, primary sex characteristics, secondary sex characteristics

Explain the biological process of puberty. (HPA Axis & HPG Axis)

• hypothalamus, pituitary gland, adrenal gland

• hypothalamus, pituitary gland, gonads

HPA and HPG Axis meaning

growth spurt

relatively sudden and rapid physical growth that occurs during puberty

No, each body part increases in size on a schedule.

Is growth always symmetrical?

weight

Which one increases first, normally? (weight or height)

growth of limbs

Which one increases first, normally? (growth of limbs or growth of torso)

triple

Adolescents breathe more deeply and slowly because the lungs ___ in weight.

doubles, decreasing, increasing

The heart ____ in size, heartbeat slows, ____ the pulse rate while ____ blood pressure.

lymphoid system

What is the only thing that decreases in size in adolescence?

appearance (girls - makeup, clothing, looking pretty; boys - muscular, having facial hair)

What do both girls and boys tend to focus on when in adolescence?

orthorexia

obsession with eating healthy foods

cultural image, stress, puberty, hormones, childhood patterns

What are some factors in disordered eating?

Circadian

_____ rhythms change at puberty, causing some people to become night owls.

debt

Sleep ____ can beinfluenced by computer blue spectrum light, TV watching, and texting.

• insomnia

• nightmares

• mood disorders

• sleepiness with driving

• interference with learning

What are some dangers from sleep deprivation and irregular sleep schedules?

gray, white

In the adolescent brain, ___ matter decreases, while _____ matter increases.

prefrontal cortex

In adolescence, the emotional brain is maturing rapidly and is faster than the growth of the ___________ _________.

amygdala

Pubertal hormones target the emotional centers of the brain, which is the _____.

arousal

There is higher ________ in the brain reward centers.

impulsive

Teenagers are ________ because of the hormonal influence on the amygdala.

• more emotion

• less planning

• risk-taking behaviors

What is an effect of teenage behavior due to the prefrontal cortex still developing and the hormonal influences on the amygdala?

reward

Which part of an adolescent's brain is far stronger? (reward or inhibition)

powerful sensations - loud music, speeding cars, strong drugs

What does the slower-maturing prefrontal cortex cause the adolescent to find more desirable or compelling?

• STDs

• sexual promiscuity

• early sex leads to greater rates of depression and drug abuse

• pregnancy, abortion rates

What are some dangers of puberty?

decreasing

Sexual Intercourse in adolescence is ___________.