PS102-CH14

An area in the base of the brain that, in addition to regulating several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, and body temperature), directs the production of hormones via the pituitary gland.

A gland that, in response to a biochemical signal from the hypothalamus, produces hormones that regulate growth and control other glands, including the adrenal glands.

A pair of glands located above the kidneys that secrete the hormones epinephrine (adrenaline) an norepinephrine (noradrenaline), which help to arouse the body in time of stress.

The hypothalamus/pituitary/adrenal axis, a route followed by many kinds of hormones to trigger the changes of puberty and to regulate stress, growth, sleep, appetite, sexual excitement, and various other bodily changes.

The pair of sex glands in humans. In females, they are called the ovaries; in males, they are called testes or testicles.

A sex hormone, secreted in greater amounts by females than by males.

A sex hormone, secreted in greater amounts by males than by females.

A female's first menstrual period.

A male's first ejaculation of live sperm, whether through masturbation, a wet dream, or sexual contact with another person.

The period of relatively sudden and rapid physical growth of every part of the body that occurs during puberty.

The sex organs - those parts of the body that are directly involved in reproduction, including the vagina, uterus, ovaries, testicles, and penis.

Body characteristics that are not directly involved in reproduction but that indicate sexual maturity, such as a man's beard or a woman's breasts.

An infection spread by sexual contact, including syphilis, gonorrhea, herpes, chlamydia, and HIV.

The use of an unconsenting person for one's own sexual pleasure. Sexual activity is abusive whenever it is not mutual, whenever consent is not freely given, or whenever a person does not understand or feels obligated to agree to a sexual encounter.

Any activity in which an adult uses a child for his or her own sexual stimulation or pleasure - even if the use does not involve physical contact. Child pornography, fondling, and lewd comments by strangers are all examples of child sexual abuse.

The ingestion of a drug, regardless of the amount or effect.

The ingestion of a drug to the extent that if impares the user's biological or psychological well-being.

A situation in which a person craves more of a drug in order to feel physically or psychologically at ease.

Drugs - usually tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana - whose use increase the risk that a person will later use harder drugs, such as cocaine and heroin.