Britannica AI Icon

maturation

biology
Also known as: maturity

Quick Summary

In biology, maturation refers to the process of becoming mature or fully developed. This involves a series of changes that occur between birth and adulthood.123

Key Aspects of Maturation:

  • Growth: Maturation includes an increase in size, achieved through cell division and enlargement. Environmental factors like temperature significantly influence the rate of growth.45
  • Physiological Changes: During adolescence, individuals undergo significant physical and physiological changes, including alterations in height, weight, and the development of primary and secondary sexual characteristics.6
  • Hormonal Influence: Hormones such as pituitary growth hormone, thyroid hormone, testosterone, and estrogen play crucial roles in regulating growth and development.7
  • Differentiation: This is the process by which cells and tissues become specialized, leading to the formation of distinct structures and functions within an organism.8
  • Morphogenesis: This refers to the processes that give developing systems their specific shape and spatial organization, often influenced by differential growth rates.9

The rate of maturation can vary significantly among individuals.10

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.