Secondary Sex Characteristics - GCSE Biology Definition

Reviewed by: Lára Marie McIvor

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Secondary sex characteristics are the physical changes that occur during puberty that help differentiate males and females, but are not directly involved in reproduction. In boys, these changes include a deeper voice, growth of facial and body hair, and increased muscle mass. In girls, they include breast development, wider hips, and the start of the menstrual cycle. These changes are triggered by sex hormones such as testosterone in males and oestrogen in females.

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Lára Marie McIvor

Reviewer: Lára Marie McIvor

Expertise: Biology, Psychology & Sociology Subject Lead

Lára graduated from Oxford University in Biological Sciences and has now been a science tutor working in the UK for several years. Lára has a particular interest in the area of infectious disease and epidemiology, and enjoys creating original educational materials that develop confidence and facilitate learning.

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