What is the term for the period of sexual maturation when an individual is capable of reproducing?

The term that refers to the period of sexual maturation during which an individual becomes capable of reproducing is puberty. This stage is characterized by significant physical, hormonal, and emotional changes, marking the transition from childhood to adolescence.

During puberty, both males and females experience the development of secondary sexual characteristics, such as breast development in females and increased muscle mass in males, as well as the onset of reproductive capability. This includes the production of sperm in males and the development of ova along with the establishment of menstrual cycles in females, specifically marked by menarche, which is the first occurrence of menstruation.

While adolescence encompasses the broader social and psychological transition into adulthood, puberty specifically refers to the biological changes that enable reproduction. Adulthood, on the other hand, signifies a stage where individuals are fully grown and have reached a mature state in their lives, but does not specifically denote the onset of reproductive capability.