Secondary characteristics refer to traits that appear after puberty and are not directly related to reproduction. These traits are influenced by hormones and play a role in attracting mates or establishing social dominance. They are called secondary to distinguish them from primary sexual characteristics, which are directly involved in reproduction.
The primary sex characteristics are the genitalia. The secondary sex characteristics are those typical of males or females. Breasts, body shape, Adam's apple, voice pitch, hair growth, etc. are secondary sex characteristics.
The period of sexual development in which the body becomes able to reproduce is called puberty. This stage is characterized by physical changes such as the development of secondary sexual characteristics and the ability to reproduce.
Secondary sex characteristic A peacock displays his long, colored feathers, an example of his secondary sex characteristics. Secondary sex characteristics are features that distinguish the two sexes of a species, but that are not directly part of the reproductive system. They are believed to be the product of sexual selection for traits which give an individual an advantage over its rivals in courtship and aggressive interactions.[citation needed] They are distinguished from the primary sex characteristics-- the sex organs-- which are directly necessary for reproduction to occur. Well-known secondary sex characteristics include manes of male lions and long feathers of male peacocks. Other dramatic examples include the tusks of male narwhals, enlarged proboscises in male elephant seals and proboscis monkeys, the bright facial and rump coloration of male mandrills, and horns in many goats and antelopes. Male birds and fish of many species have brighter coloration or other external ornaments. Differences in size between sexes are also considered secondary sexual characteristics. In humans, visible secondary sex characteristics include enlarged breasts of females and facial hair and adam's apple on males. ShowEvolutionary roots ShowIn humans ShowSee also ShowNotes ShowReferences
Estrogen is the primary hormone responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics in females, including breast development, widening of hips, and growth of pubic and underarm hair.
The structures that secrete hormones regulating the development of secondary sex characteristics are the gonads; the ovaries in females produce estrogen and progesterone, while the testes in males produce testosterone. These hormones are responsible for the development of secondary sex characteristics such as breast development, body hair growth, and voice deepening.
Testosterone
The most prominent hormone involved in secondary sex characteristics for a male is testosterone.
Testosterone is responsible for producing and maintaining primary sex characteristics in males such as the development of the testes and production of sperm. It also influences the development of secondary sex characteristics like facial and body hair, deepening of the voice, and muscle mass.
In humans, visible secondary sex characteristics include enlarged breasts of females and facial hair and adam's apple on males.
estorgen
I think a secondary wife is called a 'concubine'
Secondary sexual characteristics.
Testosterone
Male facial hair
estrogen
Androgenes: male hormone that stimulates the development of the male sexual secondary characteristics. Testorones are the primary stimulates.
The primary sex characteristics are the genitalia. The secondary sex characteristics are those typical of males or females. Breasts, body shape, Adam's apple, voice pitch, hair growth, etc. are secondary sex characteristics.