puberty

(noun)

The age at which a person is first capable of sexual reproduction.

Related Terms

Examples of puberty in the following topics:

  • Puberty

    • Puberty is the process through which a child matures and becomes capable of sexual reproduction.
    • Puberty that starts earlier than usual is known as precocious puberty.
    • Puberty that starts later than usual is known as delayed puberty.
    • Girls usually complete puberty by ages 15–17, while boys usually complete puberty by ages 16–18.
    • Normal puberty is initiated in the hypothalamus.

  • Acne

    • Enlargement of sebaceous glands and an increase in sebum production occur with increased androgen production during puberty and directly before menstruation.

  • Testes

    • The tubules are lined with a layer of cells (germ cells) that develop into sperm cells (also known as spermatozoa or male gametes) from puberty into old age.
    • Leydig cells, localized between seminiferous tubules, produce and secrete testosterone and other androgens important for sexual development and puberty, including secondary sexual characteristics such as facial hair and sexual behavior.

  • Ovaries

    • Estrogen is responsible for the appearance of secondary sex characteristics of females at puberty and for the maturation and maintenance of the reproductive organs in their mature functional state.
    • Estrogen is responsible for the secondary sex characteristics of females at puberty.

  • Alopecia

    • Episodes of AA before puberty predispose one to chronic recurrence of the condition.

  • Scrotum

    • In humans and some other mammals, increased testosterone secretion during puberty causes the darkening of the skin and development of pubic hair on the scrotum.

  • Hormonal Regulation of the Male Reproductive System

    • However, it is known that initiation of spermatogenesis occurs at puberty due to the interaction of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and Leydig cells.

  • Cartilaginous Joints: Synchodroses

    • In puberty, increasing levels of estrogen, in both females and males, leads to increased apoptosis of chondrocytes in the epiphyseal plate.

  • Onset, Duration, and Half-Life of Hormone Activity

    • Whilst typically relatively short and measured in the minutes or hours, certain events such as the onset of puberty are much longer lasting.

  • Excretion and Absorption

    • Apocrine sweat glands are inactive until they are stimulated by hormonal changes in puberty.