• Question: Why do we have Hormones? Why is it it always the ages 12-19 years old?

    Asked by Harriet to Laura, Partha, Craig, Saffron on 17 Jun 2015. This question was also asked by KSS, Dan10.
    • Photo: Laura Wales

      Laura Wales answered on 17 Jun 2015:

      We always have hormones doing various jobs in our body. If you’re speaking of hormones relating to puberty….
      I don’t think scientists have discovered the definite answer to this yet. Puberty happens much earlier than it used to so some scientists think it’s related to genetic and environmental factors. It could also be linked to diet and lifestyle – for example, girls who are overweight tend to start puberty earlier.

Comments

  • Photo: Saffron

    Saffron commented on :

    We have hormones to keep our internal environment in a constant state, a bit like a greenhouse heater keeping plants at a constant temperature. Hormones regulate blood sugar levels, levels of ions, the amount of body water etc. and of course are paramount to growth and reproduction