This KS3 Science quiz takes a further look at reproduction. Adolescence is the time when a human's reproductive organs become mature. Puberty is the process of physical changes by which a child's body becomes an adult body capable of reproduction. Boys' and girls' bodies and brains undergo many changes during this time. Everyone's experience of puberty is different - we are all individuals.
Although the changes are very similar for everyone, they will occur at different times for different people and they will be slightly different. As an example, some girls' hips and some boys' shoulders will grow wider than others. That is perfectly normal. These changes are caused by hormones being released by several different glands in our body.
Changes during puberty happen both internally and externally.
For girls, their ovaries begin to release eggs and they start to menstruate. Their body shape changes - their breasts start to develop, their hips become wider and pubic and underarm hair grows. For boys, their penis and testes grow larger and the testes begin to produce sperm cells. As well as underarm and pubic hair, they grow facial hair too. Their voice deepens and they develop broader shoulders and larger muscles.