Sexual maturity is brought about by a maturing of the
reproductive organs and the production of
gametes. It may also be accompanied by a
growth spurt or other physical changes which distinguish the immature organism from its adult form. In animals these are termed
secondary sex characteristics, and often represent an increase in
sexual dimorphism. After sexual maturity is achieved, some organisms become
infertile, or even
change their sex. Some organisms are
hermaphrodites and may or may not be able to "completely" mature and/or to produce viable offspring. Also, while in many organisms sexual maturity is strongly linked to age, many other factors are involved, and it is possible for some to display most or all of the characteristics of the adult form without being sexually mature. Conversely it is also possible for the "immature" form of an organism to reproduce. This is called
progenesis, in which sexual development occurs faster than other physiological development (in contrast, the term
neoteny refers to when non-sexual development is slowed – but the result is the same - the retention of juvenile characteristics into adulthood). == Puberty vs. sexual maturity ==