The Endocrine System and Adolescence

Health Chapter 2: Lesson 4Pages 76 - 83

What is Puberty?

• Puberty is the physical process in which your body begins to develop reproductive cells.

Girls’ bodies develop ability to process ova

Boys’ bodies start producing sperm• Puberty takes happens during adolescence the years in which you are growing into adulthood

• During adolescence you will mature intellectually, emotionally, and socially as well as physically.

• Some people complete the process of puberty in one year, but the process of adolescence can last for several years.

• Puberty may begin between the ages of 8 and 13 for girls and between the ages of 10 and 15 for boys.

It begins when your brains releases a chemical that starts the changes;

determined by genes and nutrition.

What are Hormones?

• One of the body’s systems for producing chemicals is called the endocrine system

system that includes organs called glands which make chemicals used tohelp development and growth • The chemicals released by these glands that

tell the body how to develop, grow, or react are called hormones

• Each gland has important jobs that affect how your body works:

thyroid gland controls how quickly your body turn the nutrients in your food to energy as well as how quickly these nutrients are used for building and repairing cells.

adrenal gland produces adrenaline which gives your body extra energy when you’re scared or angry.

pituitary gland is called the “master gland”; it releases more than 2 dozen hormones, most importantly the growth hormone.

What Physical Changes Can I Expect?

• First thing that happens is a growth spurt a period of rapid growth( boys get taller, more muscular strength, weight gain, body hair, changes in skin, and deeper voice)(girls get taller, curvier shape, weight gain, body hair, changes in skin)

• Because of all the changes happening in your body, it’s important to practice good hygiene practices that keep a person clean

and healthy

Other Vocabulary

• Perspiration: wetness; sweat produced by sweat glands.

• Acne: a common skin disorder caused when excess oil plugs the pores of the skin, resulting in pimples that erupt on the face and upper body areas.