Question 1

After about eight weeks of conception, male fetuses are exposed to higher levels of ______, resulting in a more "masculinized" brain.

Accepted Answer

During male fetal development, the testes begin to produce higher levels of testosterone around eight weeks after conception. This hormone exposure leads to the development of more masculine physical and neurological traits.

Question 2

Sex differences in brain organization predetermine

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that there are differences in brain organization between males and females that may pre-determine certain patterns of behavior, such as spatial ability, language processing, and social behavior.

Question 3

Which of the following environmental factors affects the onset of puberty?

Accepted Answer

Amount of light exposure, specifically exposure to natural daylight, has been shown to affect the onset of puberty. The pineal gland in the brain produces the hormone melatonin, which regulates the body's natural sleep-wake cycle and is also involved in the onset of puberty. Natural daylight exposure can suppress the production of melatonin, leading to earlier onset of puberty.

Question 4

Over the past century, the onset of puberty has been coming at an earlier age. This is referred to as the

Accepted Answer

The term used to describe the onset of puberty occurring at an earlier age over time is the secular trend. Cross-sectional trend refers to comparing individuals of different ages at the same point in time, endocrine trend is not a recognized term, and menarche trend specifically refers to the age at which girls experience their first menstrual period.

Question 5

Which of the following factors can hasten the onset of maturation?

Accepted Answer

Father absence has been associated with earlier onset of puberty in some studies, possibly due to psychosocial stressors or evolutionary factors.

Question 6

Which of the following female sex characteristics is usually the last to develop?

Accepted Answer

Regular ovulation is typically the last female sex characteristic to develop and often does not occur until several years after the onset of menstruation (menarche). Development of the areola and growth of pubic hair both typically occur before menarche.

Question 7

Lucia, a seventeen-year-old living in a college dormitory, has noticed that her menstrual periods have begun to synchronize with ________, which is compelling evidence that social relationships can affect biological functioning.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that women who live in close proximity and have regular social interaction with each other can experience a synchronization of their menstrual cycles. This phenomenon, known as menstrual synchrony, is believed to be caused by pheromones or other signaling mechanisms that facilitate communication between women's bodies. Therefore, the most likely factor that is causing Lucia's menstrual cycle to synchronize is the timing of her female roommate's menstrual cycle.

Question 8

Who is at the greatest risk of developing body dissatisfaction?

Accepted Answer

Early-maturing girls, especially those who compare themselves to their peers, are at a higher risk of developing body dissatisfaction due to the physical and social changes that occur during puberty, which can be more pronounced and challenging for early maturers.

Question 9

Which of the following statements accurately describes the role leptin plays in the onset of puberty?

Accepted Answer

Leptin stimulates the production of kisspeptin, which is essential for the onset of puberty. Therefore, option B is the most accurate statement. Option A is incorrect as melatonin does not trigger puberty directly, but it plays a role in the regulation of sleep and circadian rhythms. Option C is incorrect as cortisol is not known to inhibit leptin directly, but stress can affect the production of both cortisol and leptin, which can delay the onset of puberty. Option D is also incorrect as high levels of leptin are associated with early puberty, not delayed puberty.

Question 10

Which of the following statements about the timing and tempo of sexual maturation is true?

Accepted Answer

The duration of puberty can vary widely, from 1.5 to 6 years in girls and 2 to 5 years in boys. The other statements are false. Menarche typically occurs around age 12 in the United States and many other countries, but there is variation, and some girls may begin menstruation as early as age 8 or as late as age 16. Adolescents who begin puberty early do not necessarily complete it early, and those who begin earlier may actually end up being shorter adults than those who begin later in adolescence.

Question 11

While puberty is beginning earlier, it is also taking

Accepted Answer

Puberty is indeed starting earlier in both boys and girls, but research indicates that it is taking longer to complete for both sexes. This extended duration of puberty can have various implications for physical and psychological development.

Question 12

The first sign of puberty in girls is generally

Accepted Answer

The first physical sign of puberty in girls is usually the development of breast buds, which can be felt as small lumps under the nipples. This usually occurs between the ages of 8 and 13 years old.

Question 13

Which of the following can delay the onset of puberty?

Accepted Answer

Nutritional deficiencies, such as malnutrition or lack of specific nutrients like vitamin D, can delay the onset of puberty. This is because the body requires adequate nutrition to support normal growth and development, including puberty. Stress can actually trigger early onset of puberty, and while childhood abuse may have negative impacts on overall health and development, it is not specifically known to delay puberty. Lack of exercise may also have negative health impacts, but it is not typically associated with delaying puberty.

Question 14

Osman is a junior high student anticipating puberty. He wants to know when puberty will start and how long it will take until he looks like and is considered an adult. His health teacher tells him that the timing and rate of puberty

Accepted Answer

The timing and rate of puberty vary greatly and are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. While the average age of onset is around 12 years old, some individuals may begin earlier or later, and the process can take anywhere from two to five years. Nutrition and exercise can play a role in overall health, but do not necessarily impact the onset or duration of puberty. The environmental and family situation may have some influence, but genetics play a larger role in determining the timing and rate of puberty.

Question 15

Differences in the timing and rate of puberty among individuals growing up in the same general environment are largely caused by which factor?

Accepted Answer

The timing and rate of puberty are largely influenced by genetics. However, hormones also play a role in puberty. Exercise and psychology may have an impact on overall health, but they are not key factors in determining puberty timing and rate.

Question 16

Based on research addressing ethnic differences in the timing and rate of pubertal maturation, which American girl would be expected to mature earliest?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that Black girls tend to enter puberty earlier than other ethnic groups, often by about a year. Therefore, Brandy, the middle-income Black adolescent, would be expected to mature earliest.

Question 17

There is growing evidence that puberty affects the brain in ways that increase adolescents'

Accepted Answer

Puberty causes changes in the levels of hormones like estrogen and testosterone, which can influence the brain's functioning, particularly in the limbic system. This can result in increased emotional arousal, making adolescents more reactive to emotional stimuli than adults or children. This can also lead to impulsivity and risk-taking behavior. While aggression and rebelliousness may also be affected by puberty, emotional arousal is the most strongly supported by research. There is no evidence to suggest that puberty increases dependency levels.

Question 18

Professor Kendall has been researching adolescent maturation around the world. Which of the following is she likely to determine has the smallest role in determining group differences in pubertal maturation?

Accepted Answer

Genetics play a role in determining pubertal maturation, but it is largely consistent across populations. On the other hand, factors such as nutrition, sanitation, and infectious diseases can vary significantly and affect the timing and pace of pubertal maturation. Therefore, these environmental factors are likely to have a larger role in determining group differences in pubertal maturation.

Question 19

Which of the following statements about puberty in girls is true?

Accepted Answer

While breast development is often associated with puberty, the development of the areola (the darker area surrounding the nipple) and nipple are actually better indicators of sexual maturation. Menarche (the first menstrual period) typically occurs later in puberty, after other physical changes have already taken place. Breast size does not necessarily indicate sexual maturation or readiness for reproduction.

Question 20

Which of the following factors is most important in determining the onset of puberty?

Accepted Answer

The onset of puberty is primarily determined by genetics, specifically the activation of genes that control the timing of pubertal development. Puberty begins when the hypothalamus begins secreting gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which then triggers the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the pituitary gland, ultimately leading to the physical changes associated with puberty. While factors such as nutrition and environmental cues can affect the timing of puberty, they are secondary to genetic factors.

Quiz 1: Biological Transitions