Puberty

The idea

While the body grows to adult size its resources go mainly to growth; as general body growth slows, reproductive tissues begin to mature, and this period during adolescence is puberty.

Busy body

A growing child's body uses its resources to reach adult size.

When is the body likely to start maturing its reproductive tissues?

• As general body growth slows down
• Before any growth has started
• Only after growth has stopped for years

Where do resources go?

Press Next step. The bar heights are only a picture.

Why at this age?

While the body grows to adult size, most resources go to growth. When general growth slows, the reproductive tissues mature. The period of adolescence when this happens is puberty.

While the body grows to adult size its resources go mainly to growth. As general body growth slows, reproductive tissues begin to mature. This period during adolescence is puberty.

Notes

Puberty is the period during adolescence when, as general body growth slows, the reproductive tissues begin to mature.

Check yourself

What is puberty?

Why does the maturing of reproductive tissue not come first?

Reproductive tissues begin to mature when the rate of general body growth …

• The time when the body first begins to grow. Puberty comes as general body growth begins to slow down.
• The period during adolescence when the reproductive tissues begin to mature — correct. Yes!
• The time when milk teeth are replaced. Losing milk teeth is part of general growth. Puberty is when the reproductive tissues mature.
• Reproductive tissues are not part of the body. Human beings develop special tissues for making germ-cells.
• The body does not grow at all in childhood. The book says the body is growing to its adult size, and its resources are mainly directed at this growth.
• The body's resources are mainly directed at growth to adult size — correct. Yes!
• begins to slow down — correct. Yes!
• is at its highest. The book says tissues begin to mature when the rate of general body growth slows down.
• has not yet started. The reproductive tissues mature as growth slows, during adolescence.