Mention any two secondary sexual characteristics in a 15-year-old boy.
Topic: Secondary sexual characteristics — male
Answer
- Growth of FACIAL AND BODY HAIR — moustache, beard, and hair in the armpits and pubic region.
- DEEPENING OF THE VOICE, caused by enlargement of the larynx (the Adam’s apple).
(Also acceptable: broadening of the shoulders and chest; development of muscles; increase in height.)
Two are asked for, so give exactly two — one mark each.
THE DISTINCTION BEING TESTED is between primary and secondary sexual characteristics, and it is worth stating clearly in your mind: PRIMARY — the reproductive organs themselves, present from birth (testes, penis). SECONDARY — features that appear at PUBERTY and are not directly involved in reproduction (facial hair, deep voice, broad shoulders). Naming the testes here would be a primary characteristic and would earn nothing.
All of these changes are brought about by TESTOSTERONE, secreted by the Leydig cells of the testes — which is why a question on this topic often continues by asking for the hormone responsible.