Adolescent Psych Unit 1

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the key definitions and biological concepts in Chapter 1 of Adolescence by Laurence Steinberg.

Puberty

The period during which an individual becomes capable of sexual reproduction, encompassing all physical changes that occur in adolescents.

Endocrine system

The system of the body that produces, circulates, and regulates hormone levels.

Hormones

Highly specialized substances secreted by one or more endocrine glands.

Glands

Organs that stimulate particular parts of the body to respond in specific ways to particular hormones.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons

Specialized neurons that are activated by certain pubertal hormones.

Set point

A physiological level or setting (e.g., of a specific hormone) that the body attempts to maintain through a self-regulating system.

Adrenarche

The maturation of the adrenal gland that takes place during adolescence, just before puberty.

Cortisol

A hormone produced when a person is exposed to stress.

Kisspeptin

A brain chemical believed to trigger the onset of puberty.

Leptin

A protein produced by fat cells that may play a role in the onset of puberty through its impact on kisspeptin.

Melatonin

A hormone secreted by the brain that contributes to sleepiness and triggers the onset of puberty through its impact on kisspeptin.

Organizing Role of Hormones

The process where prenatal hormones program the brain to develop in certain ways and according to a certain timetable.

Activating Role of Hormones

The process where an increase in certain hormones at puberty activates physical changes, such as secondary sex characteristics.

Adolescent growth spurt

The dramatic increase in height and weight that occurs during puberty.

Peak height velocity

The point at which the adolescent is growing most rapidly.

Epiphysis

The closing of the ends of the bones, which terminates growth after the adolescent growth spurt has been completed.

Secondary sexual characteristics

The manifestations of sexual maturity at puberty, including changes in genitals and breasts, and the growth of pubic, facial, and body hair.

Tanner stages

A widely used system that describes the five stages of pubertal development.

Weathering

The process through which exposure to stress may accelerate aging.

Pheromones

A class of chemicals secreted by animals that stimulate certain behaviors in other members of the species.

Secular trend

The tendency over the past two centuries for individuals to be larger in stature and to reach puberty earlier, primarily due to improvements in health and nutrition.

Cross-sectional study

A study that compares two or more groups of individuals at one point in time.

Longitudinal study

A study that follows the same group of individuals over time.

Plasticity

The capacity of the brain to change in response to experience.

Delayed phase preference

A pattern of sleep characterized by later sleep and wake times, which usually emerges during puberty.

Basal metabolism rate

The minimal amount of energy used by the body when resting.

Body mass index (BMI)

A measure of an individual's body fat calculated as the ratio of weight to height, used to gauge overweight and obesity.

Disordered eating

Mild, moderate, or severe disturbance in eating habits and attitudes.

Anorexia nervosa

An eating disorder found chiefly among young women, characterized by dramatic and severe self-induced weight loss.

Bulimia

An eating disorder found primarily among young women, characterized by a pattern of binge eating and extreme weight loss measures, including self-induced vomiting.

Binge eating disorder

An eating disorder characterized by a pattern of binge eating that is not accompanied by drastic attempts to lose weight.