Chap 9

Spermarche

Boy's first ejaculation of sperm; Erections can occur as early as infancy, but ejaculation signals sperm production

Adolescence

emerging adulthood

Pituitary gland

signals the adrenal glands and the ovaries or testes to produce more of their hormones

Gonads

Paired sex glands (ovaries in females, testicles in males), produce hormones and gametes

Circadian rhythm

Day-night cycle of biological activity occurs approximately every 24 hours (circadian means "about a day"); Hormones of the HPA axis at puberty cause a phase delay in sleep-wake cycles

Menarche

Girl's first menstrual period, signaling that she has begun ovulation; Pregnancy is biologically possible, but ovulation and menstruation are often irregular for years after

Pituitary gland

Gland in the brain that responds to a signal from the hypothalamus by producing many hormones, including those that regulate growth and control other glands, among them the adrenal and sex glands

Hormone

Organic chemical substance that is produced by one body tissue and conveyed via the bloodstream to another to affect some physiological function

HPA (hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal) axis

Sequence of a chain reaction of hormone production, originating in the hypothalamus and moving to the pituitary and then to the adrenal glands

HPG (hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad) axis

Sequence of hormone production that originates in the hypothalamus, moves to the pituitary, and then to the gonads

Estradiol

Sex hormone, considered the chief estrogen; females produce this more

Testosterone

Sex hormone, the best known of the androgens (male hormones); secreted more by males

Puberty

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

Adrenal glands

Two glands, located above the kidneys, that produce hormones (including the "stress hormones" epinephrine [adrenaline] and norepinephrine)

What two things regulate the hormones that affect the biorhythms of stress, appetite, sleep, and so on?

hypothalamus, pituitary

Puberty begins with hormonal signal from ___ to ___

hypothalamus, pituitary gland

Hormone

influence thoughts, urges, emotions, and behavior

Puberty

lasts five years, but requires many more years are required to achieve psychosocial maturity