Kaplan Nursing Entrance Exam Practice 2026 – Comprehensive Prep

The primary characteristic of secondary sexual characteristics in females is the development of mammary glands. Secondary sexual characteristics are the features that emerge during puberty and are not directly involved in reproduction but are associated with sexual maturation and differentiation. In females, the development of mammary glands is a significant change that prepares the body for potential breastfeeding and is an indicator of biological maturity.

During puberty, the increase in estrogen levels triggers the growth of breast tissue and the establishment of mammary glands, leading to the characteristic breast development seen in females. This development is an essential aspect of sexual differentiation and plays a key role in the reproductive system.

Other attributes may change during puberty, such as increased body hair and possibly changes in menstrual cycles, but the development of mammary glands is the most definitive secondary sexual characteristic indicating female sexual maturation.