Question 1

According to the text, the greatly expanded production of growth hormones occurs at about age ____ for U.S. girls and about age ____ for U.S. boys.

Accepted Answer

The text indicates that the production of growth hormones significantly increases at around age 10 for U.S. girls and around age 12 for U.S. boys.

Question 2

In comparison to hormones typically found in men, which of the following are hormones that are found in greater quantities in women?

Accepted Answer

Estrogen and progesterone are the hormones that are found in greater quantities in women. Testosterone is typically found in higher quantities in men, while androgen is a category of hormones that includes testosterone. Progesterone levels also fluctuate during the menstrual cycle and are important for pregnancy.

Question 3

The primary function of the sex glands is to:

Accepted Answer

The primary function of the sex glands (testes in males and ovaries in females) is to produce sperm or eggs and secrete androgens or estrogens, which are hormones responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics and regulation of reproductive processes. Option A is incorrect because sexual excitement is controlled by the brain and nervous system. Option C is partially correct but does not include the secretion of hormones. Option D is incorrect because the uterus is not involved in the production of sex cells or hormones.

Question 4

Assume that Barbara (a girl) and Brandon (a boy) are typical children growing up in the United States today. You should expect that they will experience the most rapid growth in their height at which of the following ages?

Accepted Answer

The peak of the height spurt for U. S. children today occurs on average at age 12 for girls and at age 14 for boys.

Question 5

According to the text, hormones are secreted into the bloodstream by:

Accepted Answer

Hormones are secreted into the bloodstream by endocrine glands, such as the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, adrenal glands, and others.

Question 6

Which of the following is typically the first indication that girls have entered puberty?

Accepted Answer

The development of breast buds, also known as thelarche, is typically the first physical sign of puberty in girls. This usually occurs around the age of 8-13 years old, and is followed by other physical changes such as growth spurt, pubic hair growth, and eventual onset of menstruation. Ovulation and menarche (first menstrual period) occur later in puberty, after breast development has already begun.

Question 7

Maria (a girl) and Jose (a boy) are fraternal twins and are 10 years old. If their development is typical, Maria should experience the adolescent growth spurt in about ___ more years, and Jose should experience his adolescent growth spurt in about ____ more years.

Accepted Answer

Girls typically begin their adolescent growth spurt around ages 11-12, while boys typically begin around ages 13-14. Therefore, Maria should experience her growth spurt in about 2 more years, and Jose in about 4 more years.

Question 8

Which of the following are most closely involved in regulating the balance in the production of hormones?

Accepted Answer

The pituitary gland and the hypothalamus work closely together to regulate hormone production. The hypothalamus sends signals to the pituitary gland to release or inhibit hormone production, maintaining hormonal balance.

Question 9

As compared to females, males' bodies typically produce more:

Accepted Answer

Males typically have higher levels of androgenic hormones such as testosterone, which are responsible for male sex traits and characteristics.

Question 10

According to the text, which of the following terms is used to describe the period of rapid growth in physical size and strength that occur during adolescence?

Accepted Answer

The text defines the adolescent growth spurt as a period of rapid growth in physical size and strength, accompanied by changes in body proportions, that occurs with the entrance into puberty.

Question 11

In males, which of the following is typically the first sign that a boy has entered puberty?

Accepted Answer

The growth in the size of the testes and scrotum is typically the first sign of puberty in males, followed by the appearance of pubic hair, growth in the size of the penis, and finally, voice change.

Question 12

Which of the following terms is used to refer to the time of onset of the first menstrual period?

Accepted Answer

Menarche is the term used to refer to the time of onset of the first menstrual period. Classical and secular menorrhea are not commonly used terms in reference to menstruation. Amenorrhea refers to the absence of menstruation.

Question 13

Mark, who is 14 years old, notices that recently he has become much clumsier. One reason the text suggests for this clumsiness is that the adolescent growth spurt is often accompanied by:

Accepted Answer

Although the adolescent growth spurt is accompanied by the depositing of fat in the breasts and the production of red blood cells in boys, these are not related to clumsiness. The brain does not shrink in size during adolescence. But growth in body parts is often asymmetrical, giving rise to clumsiness. It is not uncommon for adolescents to notice that one hand is temporarily larger than the other, or that one leg is longer.

Question 14

Which of the following terms describes the onset of menstrual cycles in females?

Accepted Answer

Menarche is the onset of menstrual cycles in females. Ovariogenesis refers to the formation of ova (eggs) in the ovaries. Ovulation is the release of the mature egg from the ovary. Female rite of passage is a cultural or traditional ceremony marking a girl's transition to womanhood, which may or may not coincide with menarche.

Question 15

According to the text, the first indication of puberty for males is which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The text states that the first indication of puberty for males is typically the accelerating growth of the testes and scrotum. While other changes may occur around the same time, such as growth of pubic hair or an increase in penis size, the text specifies that the growth of the testes and scrotum is usually the first physical change. Production of semen with viable sperm typically comes later in puberty.

Question 16

Sheila (a girl) and Brian (a boy) are fraternal twins and are 8 years old. If their development is typical, their parents should expect that they will experience the adolescent growth spurt in which of the following patterns?

Accepted Answer

Historically, females have experienced the adolescent growth spurt around age 10-14, while males have experienced it around age 12-16. Since Sheila is a female and Brian is a male, it is likely that Sheila will experience her growth spurt before Brian does, making option B the best choice.

Question 17

The historical trend toward earlier sexual maturation of adolescents is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

The secular trend refers to the historical pattern of earlier maturation in adolescents, including earlier onset of puberty and menarche.

Question 18

The text uses which of the following terms to refer to the attainment of sexual maturity in both males and females?

Accepted Answer

Puberty refers to the period of life during which an individual becomes capable of sexual reproduction, and it happens to both males and females. Menarche refers specifically to the onset of menstruation in females, the growth spurt refers to the period of rapid physical growth seen during puberty, and the climacteric refers to the period of hormonal changes leading up to menopause in females.

Question 19

Typically, girls experience the adolescent growth spurt about:

Accepted Answer

Girls typically experience the adolescent growth spurt about 2 years before boys.

Question 20

Each hormone influences a certain set of targets. For example, estrogen causes:

Accepted Answer

During adolescence, estrogen causes the uterus and breasts to grow and the hips to broaden.

Quiz 10: Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood: Physical and Cognitive Development

According to the text, the greatly expanded production of growth hormones occurs at about age for U.S. girls and about age for U.S. boys.