How do bones change during puberty?

How do bones change during puberty?

• A. Bone density increases and epiphyseal plates close.
• B. Bone density decreases and bones lengthen.
• C. No change in bone density.
• D. Bones harden but do not grow.

Answer: (A)

During puberty, hormones accelerate two important bone changes: the bones grow in length and become denser. Growth in length happens as the epiphyseal (growth) plates stay open long enough for bones to lengthen, but as puberty progresses these plates gradually fuse and close, signaling the end of further length growth. At the same time, bones mineralize more, increasing bone density and making them stronger. So the combination that best fits what actually happens is that bone density increases and epiphyseal plates close. The other options don’t fit because density doesn’t stay the same or decrease, and longitudinal growth isn’t ongoing without the closing of growth plates.

During puberty, hormones accelerate two important bone changes: the bones grow in length and become denser. Growth in length happens as the epiphyseal (growth) plates stay open long enough for bones to lengthen, but as puberty progresses these plates gradually fuse and close, signaling the end of further length growth. At the same time, bones mineralize more, increasing bone density and making them stronger. So the combination that best fits what actually happens is that bone density increases and epiphyseal plates close. The other options don’t fit because density doesn’t stay the same or decrease, and longitudinal growth isn’t ongoing without the closing of growth plates.