Signals of maturity

The idea

For mating, an individual's sexual maturity must be identifiable by others, so many puberty changes, such as new hair-growth patterns, act as signals that sexual maturation is taking place.

Who is ready?

In mating, animals must know whether another individual is sexually mature.

How could an individual tell?

• By signs such as new hair-growth patterns
• By its name
• By guessing at random

Changes as signals

Press Next step.

Changes that signal

Sexual reproduction needs germ-cells from two individuals to join. If animals are to mate, other individuals must be able to tell that they are sexually mature. Many changes during puberty, such as new hair-growth patterns, act as signals.

For mating, an individual's sexual maturity must be identifiable by others, so many puberty changes, such as new hair-growth patterns, act as signals that sexual maturation is taking place.

Notes

Many changes at puberty, such as new hair-growth patterns, are signals that others can identify, so that sexual maturity is identifiable for mating.

Check yourself

What do many puberty changes, such as new hair-growth patterns, act as?

For mating, the sexual maturity of an individual must be identifiable by …

In the book, which of these is given as an example of a puberty change that acts as a signal?

• Food stores for the body. The book describes them as signals of sexual maturation.
• Signals that sexual maturation is taking place — correct. Yes!
• Ways to stop growth. The book describes them as signals that sexual maturation is taking place, not as a way to stop growth.
• no one. The book says it must be identifiable by other individuals.
• the individual alone. For mating, the state of sexual maturity must be identifiable by others.
• other individuals — correct. Yes!
• New hair-growth patterns — correct. Yes!
• A change of name. The book gives new hair-growth patterns as an example.
• Loss of milk teeth. The book gives new hair-growth patterns as an example of a signal.