lifespan development ch.14
spermarche
A boy's first ejaculation of sperm. Erections can occur as early as infancy, but ejaculation signals sperm production.
menarche
A 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 menarche.
Pituitary
A gland in the brain that responds to a signal from the hypothalamus by producing many hormones, including those that regulate growth and that control other glands, among them the adrenal and sex glands.
Leptin
A hormone that affects appetite and is believed to affect the onset of puberty. Leptin levels increase during childhood and peak at around age 12.
Estradiol
A sex hormone, considered the chief estrogen. Females produce much more estradiol than males do.
Testosterone
A sex hormone, the best known of the androgens (male hormones); secreted in far greater amounts by males than by females.
anorexia nervosa
An eating disorder characterized by self-starvation leading to extreme weight loss.
child sexual abuse
Any erotic activity that arouses an adult and excites, shames, or confuses a child, whether or not the victim protests and whether or not genital contact is involved.
secondary sex characteristics
Physical traits that are not directly involved in reproduction but that indicate sexual maturity, such as a man's beard and a woman's breasts.
secular trend
The long-term upward or downward direction of a certain set of statistical measurements, as opposed to a smaller, shorter cyclical variation. As an example, over the last two centuries, because of improved nutrition and medical care, children have tended to reach their adult height earlier and their adult height has increased.
growth spurt
The relatively sudden and rapid physical growth that occurs during puberty. Each body part increases in size on a schedule: Weight usually precedes height, and growth of the limbs precedes growth of the torso.
puberty
The time between the first onrush of hormones and full adult physical development. Puberty usually lasts three to five years. Many more years are required to achieve psychosocial maturity.
adrenal glands
Two glands, located above the kidneys, that produce hormones (including the "stress hormones" epinephrine [adrenaline] and norepinephrine).
Hormone levels may explain sex differences in psychopathology. Males have twice the rate of _________and females have twice the rate of________ a. schizophrenia; depression b. schizophrenia; OCD c. depression; schizophrenia d. OCD; depression
a
The immaturity of a young teenage mother will increase the risk of: a. all of these answers are correct b. insecure attachment c. medical complications for both the mother and infant d. the mother failing to provide the responsive care the infant needs
a
What is the last part of the brain to mature? a. prefrontal cortex b. parietal lobes c. brain stem d. midbrain
a
Why do emotions rule behavior for many teens? a. All of these answers are correct? b. Pubertal hormones target the amygdala and other parts of the HPA c. The amygdala matures before the prefrontal cortex does d. The complexities of emotional restraint are beyond them
a
circadian rhythm
a day-night cycle of biological activity that occurs approximately every 24 hours
sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
a disease spread by sexual contact, including syphilis, gonorrhea, genital herpes, chlamydia, and HPV
body image
a person's idea of how his or her body looks
HPA (hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal) axis
a sequence of hormone production originating in the hypothalamus and moving to the pituitary and then to the adrenal glands
HPG (hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad) axis
a sequence of hormone production originating in the hypothalamus and moving to the pituitary and then to the gonads
bulimia nervosa
an eating disorder characterized by binge eating and subsequent purging, usually by induced vomiting and/ or use of laxatives
Hormones
an organic chemical substance that is produced by one body tissue and conveyed via the bloodstream to another to affect some physiological function
Ming-Lee, a teenager from China, and Sara Jo, a teenager in the United States, have similar anxieties about: a. the color of their eyes b. weight gain c. shoes size d. the size of their ears
b
The first VISIBLE sign of puberty in girls is: a. a growth spurt b. growth of the nipples c. menarche d. a widening of the hips
b
The pubertal growth spurt: a. begins with a lengthening of the torso b. proceeds from the extremities to the core c. occurs in a proximodistal fashion d. proceeds from the core to the extremities
b
Compared to 100 years ago, adolescent sexual activity, especially if it results in birth, is more hazardous because: a. mothers have husbands to help them, but do not make enough money b. the government only provides free diapers and food stamps c. teen mothers have jobs that are at least 15 miles away from their home d. earlier puberty and weaker social taboos mean teens have sexual experiences at younger ages
d
During puberty, different parts of the brain grow at: a. the same rate b. faster rates in the front portion of the brain when compared to the back portion of the brain c. faster rates in the back portion of the brain when compared to the front portion of the brain d. different rates
d
For boys, late puberty correlates with: a. lawbreaking b. high self-esteem c. School success d. anxiety and depression
d
One result of dissatisfaction with body image is that many teenage boys: a. grow beards to look older b. jog to lose weight c. go to tanning salons to darken their skin d. take steroids to increase muscle mass
d
What percentage of teen mothers are unwed? a. 60 b. 50 c. 75 d. 85
d
Gonads
the paired sex glands (ovaries in females, testicles in males). The gonads produce hormones and gametes.
primary sex characteristics
the parts of the body that are directly involved in reproduction, including the vagina, uterus, ovaries, testicles, and penis.
