Question 1

Which of the following statements about osteoporosis is true?

Accepted Answer

Adequate calcium intake during adolescence is critical to achieving peak bone mass, which is an important determinant of risk for osteoporosis later in life. The recommended daily amount for adolescents is 1300 milligrams. Prevention of osteoporosis is important throughout the lifespan, not just in adulthood. Women are at a greater risk for osteoporosis than men.

Question 2

Which of the following statements related to the psychological impact of puberty is true?

Accepted Answer

Adolescents are much more concerned about their appearance than children and adults are. This is because they are going through significant physical changes and are often very self-conscious during this time.

Answer: None of the other choices are true. 
 Boys are not more likely than girls to be dissatisfied with their appearance later in adolescence, as research suggests that both genders experience body dissatisfaction at similar rates. Most girls are not terrified when menarche occurs; while it can be a confusing or even scary time for some girls, others may feel relieved or excited. Additionally, most boys do not tell their parents or friends when spermarche (the first ejaculation) occurs, as it is not typically discussed openly in the same way that menarche is.

Question 3

Rituals that mark the transition into adulthood are called

Accepted Answer

The rituals that mark the transition into adulthood are called rites of passage. These are culturally significant events or ceremonies that signal the transition from childhood to adulthood. Examples of such rites of passage include Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Quinceañeras, and Confirmation ceremonies. Secondary and primary sex characteristics refer to the physical changes that occur during puberty, while puberty itself is the period during which these changes occur.

Question 4

Menarche typically occurs at ________ years of age.

Accepted Answer

Menarche typically occurs around the age of 13, however, it can occur as early as 9 years old and as late as 15 years old.

Question 5

During the adolescent growth spurt, which body parts usually begin to grow first?

Accepted Answer

During the adolescent growth spurt, the head, hands, and feet typically begin to grow first, followed by the arms and legs, and finally the trunk and shoulders.

Question 6

Research on osteoporosis has shown that

Accepted Answer

Children and adolescents should engage in regular weight-bearing exercise to strengthen bones, as most bone mass is formed during childhood and adolescence, not adulthood.

Question 7

________ is a disease in which a person's bones become thin and brittle, and, as a consequence, sometimes break.

Accepted Answer

Osteoporosis is a disease in which a person's bones become thin and brittle, making them more susceptible to fractures/breaks. Bulimia nervosa and anorexia are eating disorders, and menarche is the first occurrence of menstruation in females.

Question 8

The two general types of physical changes that mark the transition from childhood to young adulthood are referred to as

Accepted Answer

The two general types of physical changes that mark the transition from childhood to young adulthood are puberty and the changes associated with physical growth and development. Puberty is the process of sexual maturation, which involves a series of physical changes such as the development of secondary sexual characteristics, such as the growth of pubic hair, breasts (in females), and deeper voices (in males). The other physical changes associated with growth and development include changes in height, weight, and body composition. However, these changes do not have a specific name like puberty does, which is why option A is incorrect. Menarche refers specifically to the onset of menstruation in females, so it is not a general type of physical change that occurs in males or females. Hormones are chemicals that play a role in many bodily processes, including growth and development and puberty, but they are not a specific type of physical change.

Question 9

________ are physical signs of maturity that are not linked directly to the reproductive organs.

Accepted Answer

Secondary sex characteristics are physical characteristics that develop during puberty but are not directly related to reproductive organs. Examples include breast development in females, deepening of voices in males, and increased body hair in both sexes. Primary sex characteristics, on the other hand, are directly related to reproductive organs, such as the development of testes and ovaries. Rites of passage are cultural traditions that mark the transition from one stage of life to another, and puberty is the biological process of becoming sexually mature.

Question 10

For girls, puberty typically begins with

Accepted Answer

Puberty in girls typically begins with the growth of the breasts.

Question 11

The adolescent growth spurt

Accepted Answer

The adolescent growth spurt usually begins earlier for boys than for girls, but ends earlier for boys as well. Girls tend to gain more fat than boys during this time, while boys tend to gain more muscle.

Question 12

Who is most likely to have just reached their full adult stature?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Who is most likely to have just...

Question 13

The onset of puberty

Accepted Answer

The onset of puberty is regulated by the pituitary gland, which produces hormones that stimulate the release of sex hormones from the ovaries in girls and the testes in boys. Genetic factors also play a role in determining the timing of puberty, but the pituitary gland is the primary regulator. Depression and inadequate nutrition may affect the timing of puberty, but they are not the primary factors.

Question 14

Which of the following girls would you expect to enter puberty first?

Accepted Answer

The timing of puberty can be influenced by genetics, and if Shalicia's mother entered puberty earlier, it is more likely that Shalicia will too. Malnutrition and chronic illness can delay puberty, so Chara and Anita are less likely to enter puberty early. Marie's time period of living does not necessarily impact her timing of puberty.

Question 15

For boys, puberty typically begins with

Accepted Answer

The growth of the testes and scrotum is typically the first physical sign of puberty in boys. This is followed by the growth of pubic hair, the penis, and eventually the growth spurt.

Question 16

________ are organs that are directly involved in reproduction.

Accepted Answer

Primary sex characteristics refer to the organs and structures that are directly involved in reproduction, such as the ovaries, testes, uterus, and penis. Secondary sex characteristics refer to the physical traits that develop during puberty that are not directly involved in reproduction, such as breast development in females and facial hair growth in males. Puberty is the time period during which these physical changes occur, and menarche specifically refers to the first menstrual cycle in females.

Question 17

Which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

Girls often share the experience of menarche with their mothers immediately, as it is a significant event and mothers are typically a primary source of support and information.

Question 18

Which of the following statements concerning the maturation of the reproductive system is true?

Accepted Answer

In the first months of menstruation, girls cannot predict when they ovulate. It takes several cycles for ovulation to become regular and predictable. Controlling one's fertility through tracking ovulation requires an understanding of one's ovulation patterns, which usually takes time to develop. Therefore, option A is incorrect.

Answer: B
 Boys' initial ejaculations (during puberty) usually do not contain sufficient sperm to fertilize an egg. The first few semen ejaculations are often free from sperm, called pre-ejaculate, as they are initially prepared for ejaculation by the Cowper's gland. Regular production of semen takes a few months to develop. Therefore, option B is incorrect.

Answer: D
 At about age 13-14, boys have their first spontaneous ejaculation, which usually occurs at night (nocturnal emission). Boys start to produce sperm during puberty, and spontaneous ejaculation begins after the production of mature sperm. Therefore, option D is incorrect.

Question 19

Ginger and Roger are fraternal twins arguing about who is going to begin puberty first and who is going to reach their adult height first. If you were chosen to referee their argument, what would you tell them?

Accepted Answer

Girls typically begin puberty and reach their adult height earlier than boys, due to differences in biological and developmental processes.

Question 20

Puberty

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that girls who experience high levels of family conflict may enter puberty earlier than those who do not.

Quiz 14: Physical Growth in Adolescents