The Question
The following changes occur at puberty: (i) Growth of facial hair (ii) Deepening of the voice (iii) Onset of menstruation (iv) Oily skin. Which combination of characteristics occurs due to the secretion of testosterone?
A (i), (ii) and (iii) only
B (ii) and (iii) only
C (i), (ii) and (iv) only
D (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv)
Details
💡 Hint
Testosterone is the main male sex hormone. Which of the listed changes are typically associated with male puberty?
📝 Solution Steps
- Step 1: Identify the hormone in question: testosterone.
- Step 2: Recall the general role of testosterone in human development, specifically during puberty.
- Step 3: Evaluate each characteristic (i, ii, iii, iv) to determine if it is a male secondary sexual characteristic influenced by testosterone.
- Step 4: Select the combination that includes only the characteristics caused by testosterone.
📚 Explanation
Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone, produced mainly by the testes. During male puberty, it is responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics. These include: (i) growth of facial hair, (ii) deepening of the voice (due to larynx enlargement), and (iv) increased activity of sebaceous glands, leading to oily skin and sometimes acne. (iii) Onset of menstruation is a key characteristic of female puberty, regulated by female hormones like estrogen and progesterone, not testosterone.
✅ Answer
C
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- Including female-specific characteristics like menstruation as an effect of testosterone.
- Forgetting that oily skin is a common effect of increased sex hormones during puberty in both sexes, but specifically linked to testosterone in males.
