Which of the following terms indicate the beginning of the fertile period when gametes are produced and secondary sex characteristics appear?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Puberty. Puberty is the stage of development when gametes are produced and secondary sex characteristics appear, marking the beginning of the fertile period. This period typically occurs between the ages of 10 to 14 in females and 12 to 16 in males.
A: Teenage - Incorrect. Teenage refers to the age range between 13 to 19 and does not specifically indicate the onset of gamete production and secondary sex characteristics.
B: Adolescence - Incorrect. Adolescence is a broader term that encompasses the period from childhood to adulthood, including puberty, but it does not specifically indicate the beginning of the fertile period.
D: Juvenile - Incorrect. Juvenile refers to a young organism that has not reached sexual maturity and does not signify the beginning of gamete production and secondary sex characteristics.