ENVS 1126 Chapter : Populations And Communities Fall 2014 A
Document Summary
Sole adolescents experience the period as torturous- not all do though. To agree with your text, adolescence begins at around age 9. Puberty- physical changes that result in reproductive maturity; begins when the hypothalamus signals the pituitary gland to release hormones in the thyroid, gonads and adrenals. Begins for females at 10. 5 years, for males at 11. 5 years. Ends when males and females are sexually mature, meaning they are capable of begetting or bearing children. Normall starts between ages 8 and 14. Ends about 4 years after the first signs appear. Sequence of puberty in females: breast development, pubic hair, hips widen, growth spurt, and menarche. Some women aren"t fertile until a year after menarche starts, they are anovulatory meaning they aren"t releasing fertile eggs yet. Secular trend- since 1850s, later generations have menarches earlier (now it is starting to level out). Also the size of individuals has increased (better nutrition and medical care).
