Coordination and control - The human endocrine system - AQA The role of reproductive hormones in puberty
The endocrine system secretes hormones into the bloodstream from glands throughout the body. Hormones produce an effect on specific target organs in the body.
pubertyTime during which sexual maturity happens. is the stage in life when a child's body develops into an adult's body. The changes take place gradually, usually between the ages of 10 and 16.
Changes occur at puberty because of hormoneChemical messenger produced in glands and carried by the blood to specific organs in the body.:
testosterone - produced by the testes - controls the development of male secondary sexual characteristics
oestrogenA female sex hormone produced in the ovaries, which is responsible for puberty in girls and the regulation of the menstrual cycle. - produced by the ovaries - controls the development of female secondary sexual characteristics
Secondary sexual characteristics appear during puberty and were not present at birth.
Changes during puberty
Boys only
Boys & girls
Girls only
Voice breaks
Pubic hair grows
Voice deepens gradually
Hair grows on face and body
Underarm hair grows
Hips get wider
Body becomes more muscular
Sexual organs grow and develop
Breasts develop
Testes start to produce sperm cells
Ovaries start to release egg cells - menstruation starts
Boys only
Voice breaks
Boys & girls
Pubic hair grows
Girls only
Voice deepens gradually
Boys only
Hair grows on face and body
Boys & girls
Underarm hair grows
Girls only
Hips get wider
Boys only
Body becomes more muscular
Boys & girls
Sexual organs grow and develop
Girls only
Breasts develop
Boys only
Testes start to produce sperm cells
Boys & girls
Girls only
Ovaries start to release egg cells - menstruation starts