Question

Describe the changes involved in puberty, as well as the changes in the adolescent brain

Answer 1

Puberty : process of becoming an adult,

This happens because of hormones produced in the body.

It starts at around 8 to 13 in girls and little later in boys 11 and 15 years.

Boys

Girls

-the hormone responsible is testosterone -chest and shoulder broadens - facial hair grows -penis develop -increase oily secretions due to increased sweating

- ovary grows in size , secrete two hormones, estrogen and progesterone - under it's influence female reproductive organs develop Estrogen helps in the development of breast Progesterone help in the development of Uterus, Fallopian tube, vagina, - individuals grows taller -menarche starts - change in the fat deposition First the breast starts to develop then growth of pubic hair, last is the onset of menarche

Changes in brain: During puberty, the increases in estrogen in girls and testosterone in males, bind receptors in the limbic system, which not only stimulates sex drive, but also increases adolescents' emotional volatility and impulsivity. brain remodelling happens intensively during adolescence, continuing into mid-20s.if your child started puberty early, this might mean that some of the brain changes started early too.The main change is that unused connections in the thinking and processing part of your child’s brain (called the grey matter) are ‘pruned’ away. At the same time, other connections are strengthened. This is the brain’s way of becoming more efficient, based on the ‘use it or lose it’ principle pruning process begins in the back of the brain.

The front part of the brain, the prefrontal cortex, is remodelled last. The prefrontal cortex is the decision-making part of the brain, responsible for your child’s ability to plan and think about the consequences of actions, solve problems and control impulses. Changes in this part continue into early adulthood.

Because the prefrontal cortex is still developing, teenagers might rely on a part of the brain called the amygdala to make decisions and solve problems more than adults do. The amygdala is associated with emotions, impulses, aggression and instinctive behaviour.

The brain also experiences a surge of myelin synthesis in the frontal lobe, which is implicated in cognitive processes during adolescence..