growth and development at puberty

Question 1

When do the male and female become anatomically distinguishable?
(Hall, 2021)

Answer 1

• when the gonads, ovaries, and testes develop as part of the urogenital system in week 7 of foetal life
• if a Y chromosome is present the foetus will be male if only X chromosomes present female

Question 2

What is the secretion of testosterone early in foetal life responsible for?
(Hall, 2021)

Answer 2

• the development of male characteristics
• formation of the scrotum, penis, prostate glands, seminal vesicles, and male genital duct
• supresses the formation of female genital organs

Question 3

What happens in the absence of testosterone?
(Hall, 2021)

Answer 3

• the female genital organs develop
• these are fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, and clitoris
• minimum quantities of oestrogen are secreted at this time

Question 4

Discuss the development of the female urogenital system.
(Hall, 2021)

Answer 4

has three hierarchies of hormones
1. Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)
2. Anterior pituitary sex hormones, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) secreted in response to GnRH
3. Oestrogen and progesterone secreted in response to FSH and LH.
the rhythmic pattern of hormone secretion controls the female monthly sexual and menstrual cycle

Question 5

What are the functions of the female monthly sexual cycle?
(Hall, 2021)

Answer 5

has two functions: to release an ovum and prepare the uterine endometrium for implantation of fertilised ovum
begins at puberty and continues through the women’s life until menopause

Question 6

What are the roles of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in a women’s sexual cycle?
(Hall, 2021)

Answer 6

• they stimulate the ovarian and uterine changes in the cycle
• released by the pituitary gland in response to Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)
• FSH and LH increase at the beginning of the cycle

Question 7

What is follicle-stimulating hormone in relation to female development?
(Hall, 2021)

Answer 7

• produced by the pituitary gland
• primary role is to stimulate growth and development of follicles in the ovaries during follicular phase of menstrual cycle
• promotes the maturation of ovarian follicles, each containing an immature egg (oocyte)
• as the follicles grow, the produce oestrogen, which helps regulate the menstrual cycle and prepare the body for ovulation

Question 8

What is luteinizing hormone in relation to female development?
(Hall, 2021)

Answer 8

• produced by the pituitary gland
• LH levels rise rapidly in middle of the menstrual cycle, triggering ovulation
• ovulation is when an egg is released from the ovarian follicle into the fallopian tube
• after ovulation LH stimulates the empty follicle to secrete progesterone which prepares the uterine lining for potential implantation of fertilised egg

Question 9

How does the female body change in puberty?
(Hall, 2021)

Answer 9

• oestrogen secretion increases and sex organs (ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus) all increase in size
• external genitalia enlarge (mons pubis and labia majora), labia minora enlarges and the vagina becomes more resistant to wear and tear
• oestrogen, progesterone, and prolactin initiate the growth of breasts and capacity to produce milk
• oestrogen stimulates bone growth through reabsorption and deposition of fat in breasts, hips, and buttocks
• hair growth increases

Question 10

Discuss the development of the male urogenital system.
(Hall, 2021)

Answer 10

has three hierarchies of hormones
1. Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)
2. Anterior pituitary sex hormones, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) secreted in response to GnRH
3. Testosterone and other androgens secreted in response to FSH and LH

Question 11

What is the role of FSH in male development?
(Hall, 2021)

Answer 11

• primarily responsible for stimulating the production of sperm cells (spermatogenesis) within the seminiferous tubules of the testes.
• acts on the Sertoli cells in the testes, which support and nourish the developing sperm cells.
  FSH also plays a role in maintaining the structure and function of the testes.

Question 12

What is the role of LH in male development?
(Hall, 2021)

Answer 12

• responsible for stimulating the production of testosterone by the Leydig cells, which are located in the interstitial tissue of the testes.
  Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone and is essential for the development and maintenance of male reproductive tissues, including the testes and prostate, as well as secondary sexual characteristics like facial hair and muscle mass.
  LH secretion is regulated by the hypothalamus through the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).

Question 13

How does the male body change in puberty?
(Hall, 2021)

Answer 13

• largely under the control of testosterone
• causes the penis, scrotum, and testes to enlarge and secondary sexual characteristics to develop giving characteristic male shape
• testosterone increases bone matrix to retain more calcium, affecting the skeletal system
• also increases protein formation, muscle development, voice and hair growth
• causes hair growth on more areas of the body than in females and causes it to be more prolific. decreased testosterone secretion decreases the growth of hair on head leading to baldness
• enlargement of the larynx causes deeper voice
• testosterone increases secretion if sebaceous glands increasing likelihood of acne

Question 14

How does the brain change during adolescence?
(Blakemore, 2012)

Answer 14

• brain undergoes significant changes during adolescence affecting behaviour, decision-making, and social interactions.
• prefrontal cortex changes most dramatically influencing impulse control, planning, decision making, self-awareness and how its development impacts risk taking behaviour
• rapid fluxations in emotions and mood in adolescence, is attributed to this age group having less
  capacity to regulate heightened emotional reactivity
• social factors like peer pressure also influence brain development
• important to consider as may help understand a young person’s thought processes and behaviours