Adolescence: Biosocial Development

• Site
Gateway

• Top of Page

Links:      • Self Test
                • Print Ready Version
                 • Chapter Index

decorative graphic

Adolescence:
Biosocial Development
- Puberty Begins -

Girls Age Boys

Ovaries increase production of estrogen & progesterone 9

Uterus & vagina begins to grow larger 9 1/2

Breast "bud" stage 10 Testes increase production of testosterone

Pubic hair begins to appear 11 Testes & scrotum grow larger

Weight spurt begins 11 1/2

Peak height spurt 12 Pubic hair begins to appear

Peak muscle & organ growth - Hips become noticeably wider 12 1/2 Penis growth begins

Menarche (1st menstrual period)

13 Spermarche (1st ejaculation)

Weight spurt begins

1st ovulation 13 1/2

14 Peak height spurt

14 1/2 Peak muscle & organ growth - shoulders become noticeably broader

Pubic hair pattern 15 Voice lowers

Full breast growth 16 Readily visible facial hair

18 final pubic hair pattern

Hormones & Puberty - The HPA axis (Hypothalamus/Pituitary/Adrenal)

From the Hypothalamus
via hormones to the Pituitary
via GH hormones	via GnRH hormones
to the adrenal glands	to the gonads (ovaries & testicles)
Causes an increase in many hormones including Testosterone & Estrogen
Growth spurt - Primary sex characteristics - Secondary sex characteristics

Ψ To some extent hormonal changes cause emotional change, in that

     • rapidly increasing hormone levels, especially testosterone, cause more rapid arousal of emotions.
      • Hormones affect the quick shifts in the extremes of emotions.
       • For boys, hormonal increases lead to more thoughts about sex, etc.
        • For many girls, the menstrual cycle produces mood changes.

Adolescence:
Biosocial Development
- Puberty Begins -

Hormones & Puberty - The HPA axis (Hypothalamus/Pituitary/Adrenal)

From the Hypothalamus

via hormones to the Pituitary

via GH hormones

via GnRH hormones

to the adrenal glands

to the gonads (ovaries & testicles)

Causes an increase in many hormones including Testosterone & Estrogen

Growth spurt - Primary sex characteristics - Secondary sex characteristics

Ψ To some extent hormonal changes cause emotional change, in that

Ψ The age of puberty is highly variable, factors that affect its onset are

• stress - causes early puberty.
     • genes - mother daughter correlation.
      • body type - stocky individuals earlier.

Growth & Development
Robert C. Gates

Adolescence: Biosocial Development- Puberty Begins -

Hormones & Puberty - The HPA axis (Hypothalamus/Pituitary/Adrenal)

From the Hypothalamus

via hormones to the Pituitary

via GH hormones

via GnRH hormones

to the adrenal glands

to the gonads (ovaries & testicles)

Causes an increase in many hormones including Testosterone & Estrogen

Growth spurt - Primary sex characteristics - Secondary sex characteristics

Ψ To some extent hormonal changes cause emotional change, in that

Ψ The age of puberty is highly variable, factors that affect its onset are

• stress - causes early puberty. • genes - mother daughter correlation. • body type - stocky individuals earlier.

Growth & Development Robert C. Gates

Adolescence:
Biosocial Development
- Puberty Begins -

• stress - causes early puberty.
• genes - mother daughter correlation.
• body type - stocky individuals earlier.

Growth & Development
Robert C. Gates