Secondary Sexual Characteristics in Humans

Question 1 What are primary sexual characteristics?

Question 2 What are secondary sexual characteristics?

Question 3 State few secondary sexual characteristics in mature boys?

Question 4 State few secondary sexual characteristics in mature girls?

Question 5 State few primary sexual characteristics in boys?

Question 6 State few primary sexual characteristics in girls?

Question 7 Name one male sex hormone?

Question 8 Name one females  sex hormone?

Question 9 What is the function of male sex hormone?

Question 10 What is the function of female sex hormone?

There are 2 types of sexual characteristics in human beings:

Primary Sexual characteristics and Secondary sexual characteristics.

The sexual characteristics which are present at birth are called primary Sexual characteristics. They include internal and external sex organs which are present in babies at the time of their birth. The primary sexual characteristics in males are Testes, penis, seminal vesicles. The primary sexual characteristics in females are ovaries, oviduct, uterus, vagina etc. They are directly involved in reproduction.

The sexual characteristics controlled by hormones which distinguish between sexually mature males and female but are not directly involved in reproduction are called secondary sexual characteristics.

In secondary sexual characteristics, the body parts develop special features which make it easier to distinguish a boy and a girl.

The secondary sexual characteristics in males are:

(1) Hairs grow on face in the form of beard and moustache.

(2) Shoulders and chest broadens.

(3) A deeper voice or low pitched voice.

(4) Adam’s apple develops in front of throat in boys.

The secondary sexual characteristics in boys are produced by the male sex hormone called testosterone made in testes.

The secondary sexual characteristics in females:

(1) Development of breast.

(2) Hips broaden and become more curved and prominent in girls.

(3) A shrill or high pitched voice in girls.

The secondary sexual characteristics in girls are produced by the female sex hormone called estrogen made in ovaries.