Final answer:
Puberty refers to the years immediately before puberty when hormonal changes begin.
Step-by-step explanation:
Puberty refers to the years immediately before puberty when hormonal changes begin. During this time, several physical changes occur, such as the maturing of the adrenal glands and sex glands, the development of primary and secondary sexual characteristics, and the onset of menstrual periods in females and first ejaculation in males.