Answer
Adolescence begins with the onset of gonadotropin secretion and reproductive development and ends when the person reaches full adult height.
Puberty is the first few years of adolescence until the first menstrual period in girls, and the first ejaculation of viable sperms in males. In US the onset of puberty is usually given as 12 years in girls, and 14 years in boys.
Work Step by Step
Note. Biomedical experts and the WHO have other definitions of puberty and adolescence. Also, the start and end of these periods vary from nation to nation, and between ethnic groups, cultures, and economic classes.
Some other definitions:
Adolescence:
U.S 12-14 --girls; 19-20 boys
WHO 19-20
This is the period of transition from childhood to adulthood. It is a transitional stage that encompasses physical and psychosocial changes in the individual.
Puberty
This is the period during which the individual becomes sexuslly mature; this means the person becomes fertile and develops secondary sexual characteristics.
Some of the developments in puberty include the following:
Development and growth of breasts
Enlargement of penis and testes
Growth of pubic axillary and facial hair(males).
Menstrual flow begins
Sweat glands develop
Body odor become s apparent
Muscular strength and height increase
These changes are related to secretion and release of gonadotropin releasing factors (GnRH), gonadotropins(GTH) and leptin.
