Hormones slowly transform kids to adults by altering tissues throughout the body.

Puberty is a strange, exciting time. It kicks off adolescence — the body’s transformation from child to adult.

All mammals go through some sort of puberty. In people, this period of life typically starts between age 8 and 15 and can last up to five or six years. During puberty, the body grows faster, changes shape and gets hair in new places. People born with a female anatomy will develop breasts and start their menstrual cycle. Those born with a male anatomy may notice their muscles enlarging and their voices deepening. Zits emerge. The body clock shifts, making it easier to stay up late and harder to wake early. Emotions surge. But they’re not all uncomfortable changes. At this stage in life, the brain gets better at complex tasks.

Read on to learn more about puberty and article includes Power Words.