Which of the following best describes puberty?

Puberty is best described as a period of physical and sexual maturation because it marks a significant stage in human development characterized by the body undergoing various changes that prepare individuals for reproductive capability. During this time, both males and females experience hormone-driven transformations, which include growth spurts, the development of secondary sexual characteristics, and changes in body composition. These physical changes include the development of breasts in females, the growth of facial and body hair in males, and the onset of menstruation in females and spermatogenesis in males.

While cognitive development, emotional states, and social learning are also critical aspects of adolescent growth, they are secondary to the primary biological transformations occurring during puberty. The focus on physical and sexual maturity distinguishes this stage as fundamentally about bodily changes rather than purely cognitive or social processes.