Editing Sexual maturity (section)

== Role of reproductive organs ==
Sexual maturity is brought about by a maturing of the [[Sex organ|reproductive organs]] and the production of [[gamete]]s. 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 characteristic]]s, and often represent an increase in [[sexual dimorphism]].{{clarification needed|reason=What are the corresponding terms for plants, fungi etc.?|date=November 2022}}

After sexual maturity is achieved,{{clarification needed|reason=After (or without??) producing offspring one time?|date=November 2022}} some organisms become [[infertile]], or even [[Sequential hermaphroditism|change their sex]]. Some organisms are [[hermaphrodite]]s 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).{{cn|date=September 2022}}