What is sexual maturation? How does menstruation occur? What is the function
of placenta during pregnancy?
Answers
Sexual Maturation
Sexual maturation is usually considered to be the development of secondary sexual characters. These growths are important for human beings to reproduce and carry on generations. After reaching a certain age, there are identical changes observed in males and females. Some changes differ a lot in both sexes. For example, sexual changes observed in females are - Enlarged breasts and hips, whereas in males, growth of facial hairs and enlargement of adam's apple is observed.
How does menstruation occur
During puberty, females start with their menses. Menstruation usually starts at the age of 12/13 years and continues till the 40s or even 50s. The first menstruation that occurs is called menarche, and the period that marks the end of the menstrual cycle is called menopause.
Every month, in females, ovaries prepare an egg, sized the same as a strand of hair. A human egg can be observed with naked eyes. This egg travels through a thin tube called a fallopian tube in the uterus. If one goes through sexual intercourse and if sperm cells reach the egg, the egg gets fertilized. During this time a thin bed is prepared in the uterus for the nourishment of the baby. But since there's no baby, all the bed formed for the nourishment, along with the unfertilized egg flows off in the form of blood. the flow of this blood through the vagina is called the menstruation cycle.
What is the function of the placenta during pregnancy
The placenta is attached to the uterine wall. During pregnancy, the mother's body develops an organ in the uterus which is the placenta. The placenta is responsible for gas exchange, delivering nutrients and secretion of pregnancy concerned hormones also, protect the baby. This organ specifies a connection between the mother and the baby through the umbilical cord.