Final answer:
Puberty (option C) is the process by which a person attains sexual maturity and the ability to reproduce. It involves the release of certain hormones that stimulate the development of the gonads, which then release sex hormones responsible for the physical changes of puberty.
Step-by-step explanation:
Puberty is the process by which a person attains sexual maturity and the ability to reproduce.
During puberty, the hypothalamus releases certain hormones that trigger the pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). These hormones stimulate the gonads (testes in boys and ovaries in girls) to develop and release sex hormones, such as testosterone and estrogen. These sex hormones are responsible for the physical changes that occur during puberty.
Some of the physical changes that occur during puberty include the development of secondary sexual characteristics, such as the growth of breasts in girls and the deepening of the voice in boys. Additionally, there is also a period of rapid growth called the adolescent growth spurt.