exam notes - human growth, adolescence and maturity

Human growth is characterized by physical changes (height, weight, organ size) that occur rapidly in childhood and adolescence and slow significantly as maturity is reached.
Development is a lifelong process that includes cognitive, emotional, social, and moral progression.

Meiosis & Gametogenesis: Essential processes in human reproduction.
Male and Female Reproductive Systems: Understanding anatomy and physiology is crucial.
Fertilization & Pregnancy: Key stages in development.
Reproductive endocrinology & contraception: Understand hormonal influences and birth control methods.
Embryology: Development stages from conception.

Growth: Measured through height, weight, and organ development metrics.
Puberty: Period marked by sexual maturation, growth spurts, and development of secondary sexual characteristics.
Menarche: The onset of menstruation influenced by various factors including genetics, nutrition, and stress.
- Average age has declined historically, influenced by health and environmental factors.

Fetal Programming: Birth weight impacts lifelong health outcomes; low birth weight is associated with chronic disease risks.

APGAR Scoring: Assessment criteria for newborns include Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration, scored from 0 to 2 and checked at 1, 5, and 10 minutes after birth.
Key reflexes: Rooting, sucking, grasping, and Moro reflexes indicate healthy neurological function.

Nutrition critically impacts growth timing (menarche, puberty onset). Poor nutrition can delay development.
Environmental stressors and socio-economic status can also influence developmental timelines.

Cross-sectional studies and cohort analyses evaluate developmental milestones and health risks.
Data collection includes growth metrics and health histories to infer behavioral and biological impacts.

Understanding the complexities of human growth and development involves interdisciplinary approaches, considering biological, psychological, sociocultural, and environmental factors. These elements interconnect critically in the progression from infancy through adolescence to adulthood.

Human growth is characterized by physical changes including increases in height, weight, bone density, and muscle mass, as well as the development and enlargement of organs. These changes occur rapidly during infancy, childhood, and adolescence, slowing significantly as physical maturity is reached in early adulthood.
Development is a lifelong process that encompasses cognitive progression (e.g., improved problem-solving and critical thinking), emotional maturity (e.g., emotional regulation and empathy), social progression (e.g., forming relationships and understanding social norms), and moral progression (e.g., developing a sense of right and wrong and ethical reasoning).

Meiosis & Gametogenesis: Meiosis is a special type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half (from diploid to haploid) to produce gametes (sperm and egg cells). Gametogenesis is the process of forming these mature haploid gametes, essential for sexual reproduction.
Male and Female Reproductive Systems: Understanding the anatomy (e.g., testes, ovaries, uterus, penis) and physiological functions (e.g., hormone production, gamete transport) of these systems is crucial for comprehending reproduction and development.
Fertilization & Pregnancy: Fertilization is the fusion of male (sperm) and female (egg) gametes to form a zygote. Pregnancy is the subsequent period of gestation, involving the growth and development of the embryo and fetus within the mother's uterus.
Reproductive endocrinology & contraception: This involves the study of hormones (e.g., estrogen, progesterone, testosterone) that regulate the reproductive system and the various methods used to prevent pregnancy, ranging from barrier methods to hormonal birth control.
Embryology: This is the branch of biology that studies the prenatal development of gametes, fertilization, and the development of embryos and fetuses. It specifically focuses on the first eight weeks after fertilization, detailing organ formation and structural changes.

Growth: Periodically measured through standardized metrics like height, weight, head circumference, and body mass index (BMI), often plotted on growth charts (e.g., percentiles) to assess a child's developmental progress relative to peers.
Puberty: A period of rapid physical growth and sexual maturation driven by hormonal changes, leading to the development of secondary sexual characteristics (e.g., pubic hair, breast development in females, voice deepening in males) and the attainment of reproductive capability.
Menarche: The onset of the first menstrual period in females, signifying the capability for reproduction. It is influenced by a complex interplay of factors including genetics, nutritional status, overall health, body fat percentage, and environmental stressors.
- The average age of menarche has historically declined due to improved nutrition, healthcare, and environmental factors, indicating better living conditions.

Fetal Programming: Also known as the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) hypothesis, it states that the intrauterine environment and fetal development can

How is the onset of puberty controlled?

From birth to puberty there is a built-in control by the CNS, inhibiting the
hypothalamic pituitary release of gonadotrophins.
Also, sex steroids have a negative feedback effect on the hypothalamus that
blocks the release of GnRH
The sex steroids are released in a pulsatile fashion at extremely low levels
Small pulses of GnRH are released by the hypothalamus before puberty that
results in low levels of FSH & LH being released from the pituitary. Causing low
sex steroid levels that feed back on the hypothalamus