Puberty

Question 1 What is puberty?

Question 2 Define the term adolescence?

Question 3 What common changes occur in girls during puberty?

Question 4 What common changes occur in boys during puberty?

Puberty

The age at which sex hormones(or gametes) begin to be produced and boy and girl become sexually mature is called puberty.

Boys = 13 – 14 years
Girls = 10 – 12 years

Adolescence

The time between childhood and adulthood is called adolescence.

Oestrogen

Male gonads called testes produce male gamete called sperm. Testes produce sex hormone called testosterone. Female gonads called ovary produce eggs. Ovaries produce sex hormones called oestrogen, progesterone.

Common changes in Boys and Girls at Puberty

(1) Hair grow under armpits, in genital area between the thighs.

(2) Thinner hair appear on arms and legs.

(3) Skin become oily and develops pimples.

Changes in Girls at Puberty

(1) Breasts develop and enlarge.

(2) Hips broadens

(3) Extra fat is deposited in various parts of body like hip and thigh.

(4) Fallopian tubes, vagina, uterus enlarges.

(5) Feeling and sexual drives.

Changes in Boys at Puberty

(1) Hairs grow on chest, face (beard, moustache)

(2) Body become muscular.

(3) Voice deepens

(4) Chest and shoulder broaden.

(5) Penis and testis become large.

(6) Testes produce sperm.

(7) Feeling and sexual drives.