Final answer:
Puberty is the stage of life when a person becomes capable of reproduction, involving significant hormonal changes and the development of the reproductive system. It marks the transition from childhood to adolescence with the onset of secondary sex characteristics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term defined as the period of life during which a person becomes physically capable of reproduction is puberty. Puberty marks the transition from childhood to adolescence and is when the human body undergoes various physiological changes. These changes include the development of secondary sex characteristics and the increased production of hormones like testosterone in boys and estrogen in girls, which trigger the maturation of the reproductive system.
During puberty, male and female reproductive systems develop to the point where they can produce viable gametes; in females, this is characterized by the onset of menarche (the first menstrual cycle), and in males, by the ability to ejaculate viable sperm. These changes ensure that individuals have the potential for reproduction, thus continuing the species. It typically starts around age 12 in boys and can continue until about age 18, while in girls, it can begin around age 10 and continue into their late teens.