Biological Transitions of Adolescents

Endocrine System

The system of the body that produces, circulates, and regulates hormones

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

HPG Axis

A neuroendocrine system that regulates reproduction and growth by controlling gonadal hormones, such as testosterone and estrogen

• Hypothalamic

• Pituitary

• Gonada

Hypothalamus

A part of the brain that controls the functioning of the pituitary gland

Androgens

A class of sex hormones secreted by the gonads, found in both sexes but in higher levels among males than females following puberty

Estrogens

A class of sex hormones secreted by the gonads, found in both sexes but in higher levels among females than males following puberty

Kisspeptin

A brain chemical believed to trigger the onset of puberty

Peak Height Velocity

The period during adolescence when a child grows the fastest, marking the height of their growth spurt, and is a key indicator of biological maturity

Epiphysis

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

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

Delayed Phase Preference

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