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Sexual characteristics:
There are two types of sexual characteristics:
- Primary
- Secondary
The primary sexual characteristics include the internal and the external sex organs present at the time of birth. They are directly involved in the process of reproduction.
- In the male, the testes, penis and seminal vesicles comprise the primary sexual characteristics.
- In females, the ovary, oviducts, uterus, vagina etc., are the primary sexual characteristics.
- During puberty, the gametes, sperms, and ova are produced in males and females, respectively.
Secondary sexual characteristics
Physical characteristics which develop at puberty distinguishes the male from the female. These are called secondary sexual characteristics.
Secondary sexual characters in males:
- Facial hair growth - moustache and beard.
- Broadening of chest and shoulder.
- Deep and low pitched voice, and development of Adam's apple.
- Growth of hair on the chest, armpits and in pubic areas (between the thighs).
Secondary sexual characters in male
Secondary sexual characters in females:
- Development of mammary gland (breast).
- Broadening of hips and fat deposition on hips and thighs.
- Hair growth is seen in the armpits as well as in pubic areas (between the thighs).
Secondary sexual characters in female
The changes that take place in adolescence is controlled and caused due to hormones.
Hormones are chemical substances that are secreted from the endocrine glands or endocrine system. The male hormone is called testosterone, is released by the testes when puberty begins.
The female hormone is called estrogen, which is produced by the ovary once puberty is reached. Due to the secretion of estrogen, the mammary glands enlarge in girls. The mammary glands or the milk-secreting glands then develop inside the breast.
The production of estrogen and testosterone is controlled by another hormone secreted from the pituitary gland (endocrine gland).
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