Final answer:
During puberty, individuals experience changes in the brain, hormonal fluctuations, and rapid skeletal growth. These periods of physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development occur throughout adolescence, and the growth spurt is influenced by hormones like testosterone.
Step-by-step explanation:
Typical Changes During Puberty
Puberty is a significant period marked by various changes in the body. The typical changes associated with puberty include:
Cognitive changesHormonal changesRapid skeletal growth
1. Cognitive Changes in the Brain
During puberty, the brain undergoes notable cognitive changes which affect the psychosocial aspects of adolescents' lives. This includes improved abstract thinking and problem-solving abilities.
2. Hormonal Changes
The production of sex hormones increases, leading to the development of primary and secondary sexual characteristics. In girls, this includes menarche and breast development; in boys, spermarche, and facial hair growth.
3. Rapid Skeletal Growth
This phase is known as the adolescent growth spurt. Boys experience this growth under the control of testosterone, which contributes to sex differences in physical size and shape in adulthood.
A reduction in telomere length is not associated directly with puberty but occurs over an individual's lifespan, contributing to the aging process.