Lecture 6B puberty

Question 1

What is puberty?

Answer 1

A series of physical changes culminating in sexual development and reproductive maturity.

Question 2

What are primary sex characteristics?

Answer 2

Sex organs directly involved in reproduction (e.g., testes, ovaries).

Question 3

What are secondary sex characteristics?

Answer 3

External physical changes not directly involved in reproduction (e.g., breasts, body hair).

Question 4

When are primary and secondary sex characteristics usually complete?

Answer 4

Several years before the end of adolescence.

Question 5

What hormone triggers puberty?

Answer 5

Gonadotrophin, released by the pituitary gland.

Question 6

What do gonadotrophins stimulate?

Answer 6

The testes and ovaries to produce sex hormones (testosterone and oestrogen).

Question 7

What are androgens?

Answer 7

A collective term for sex hormones like testosterone and oestrogen that drive sexual development.

Question 8

Do both males and females produce testosterone and oestrogen?

Answer 8

Yes, both sexes produce both hormones but in different proportions.

Question 9

What factors influence individual variation in puberty timing?

Answer 9

Ethnicity, environment, and possibly pollution.

Question 10

How does the WHO account for variation in child development?

Answer 10

They use growth charts based on data from 8500 children with diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

Question 12

What are the three main environmental influences on physical growth in children?

Answer 12

1. Nutrition
2. Illness
3. Quality of care

Question 13

Why is diet critical for child growth?

Answer 13

Inadequate nutrition slows or halts growth; recovery can occur with improved diet.

Question 14

What happens if undernutrition is short and not severe?

Answer 14

Children can experience a catch-up growth spurt once diet improves.

Question 15

What is marasmus?

Answer 15

A severe form of undernutrition due to lack of protein and calories, leading to frailty and wrinkled. Impair social and intellectual development.

Question 16

What causes marasmus?

Answer 16

Separation from mother or malnourished mother unable to produce sufficient breast milk.

Question 17

What are long-term effects of marasmus?

Answer 17

Small stature, impaired social and intellectual development.

Question 18

What is kwashiorkor?

Answer 18

A nutritional disease from adequate calories but insufficient protein, often post-weaning.

Question 19

What are symptoms of kwashiorkor?

Answer 19

Swollen abdomen, thinning hair, water retention in face/limbs, severe skin lesions.

Question 20

What is overnutrition?

Answer 20

Dietary excess, especially from poor food choices, leading to obesity.

Question 21

How prevalent is childhood obesity?

Answer 21

Around 380 million children and adolescents globally are overweight or obese.

Question 22

What factors contribute to rising obesity rates?

Answer 22

Increased fast food consumption and reduced physical activity.

Question 23

What did Dutch studies of Famine show about prenatal nutrition?

Answer 23

o Higher BMI
o Elevated plasma lipids  increased risk of type 2 diabete
o Increased risks of schizophrenia
o Increased risk of cardiovascular disease

Question 24

Which trimester is especially sensitive to nutritional deficits?

Answer 24

The first trimester.

Question 25

What other factor influenced Dutch famine outcomes?

Answer 25

Sex of the fetus also impacted developmental outcomes.

Question 27

What are vaccine-preventable diseases covered by MMR?

Answer 27

Measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles).

Question 28

What is measles?

Answer 28

A highly contagious viral disease spread via respiratory droplets; no treatment; preventable by vaccine.

Question 29

What are risks of measles?

Answer 29

Still causes deaths in Australia and global outbreaks without vaccination.

Question 30

What is mumps?

Answer 30

A viral infection causing salivary and testicular swelling; can lead to sterility in men; no treatment.

Question 31

What is rubella?

Answer 31

Viral infection especially dangerous during pregnancy, causing birth defects like deafness and intellectual disability.

Question 32

How many deaths are prevented by vaccination yearly?

Answer 32

2 to 3 million, according to WHO.

Question 33

What could increase vaccination effectiveness further?

Answer 33

1.5 million additional deaths could be avoided with better global vaccine coverage.

Question 34

Where do most unvaccinated children live?

Answer 34

In 10 countries including India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Ethiopia.

Question 36

What is the role of quality of care in physical development?

Answer 36

High-quality care supports healthy growth; neglect or poor care can hinder it.

Question 37

Does the MMR vaccine cause autism?

Answer 37

No. Research shows MMR vaccine does not cause autism.

Question 39

Summarise the genotype–phenotype–environment influence on development.

Answer 39

Each influences the other: genes shape potential, environment shapes expression, and phenotype interacts with both.

Question 40

What does behavioural genetics reveal?

Answer 40

Traits are influenced by multiple genes and environment; individual variation is common.

Question 41

When are growth spurts most rapid?

Answer 41

During infancy and puberty.

Question 42

What environmental factors influence child growth?

Answer 42

Nutrition, illness, and quality of care.

Question 43

Why are childhood vaccinations important?

Answer 43

They prevent serious illness, disability, and death from vaccine-preventable diseases.