Reaching The Age Of Adolescence

Hormones the term used for secretions of endocrine glands responsible for changes taking place in the body. These are chemical substances that transport signals from on body part to another.

Adolescence is the period of life which begins around the age of 11 and lasts till 18 or 19 years of age. During this period, the body undergoes changes, leading to reproductive maturity. There are many changes in boys and girls on physical and emotional level.

Menstruation in Women is process of the shedding of the uterine lining on a regular monthly basis. It begins at puberty and is the reproductive cycle of the female body. Every month, the uterus prepares itself to receive a fertilised egg. Therefore, the inner lining of the uterus becomes thick and is supplied with blood to nourish the embryo. If the egg is not fertilised, then the lining of the uterus breaks down and gets Released in the form of blood through the vagina. This lasts for about two to eight days. This cycle occurs every month and is known as the menstrual cycle.

The changes that take place in the body at the time of puberty are listed as follows:

1) The sudden increase in height and weight for both boys and girls.

2) For boys, the broadening of shoulders and widening of the chest. For girls, the region below the waist becomes wider comparatively.

3) In boys, under the influence of hormones, the vocal cords become longer and thicker.

4) The appearance of hair in areas such as underarms, face, hands, and legs for both boys and girls.

5) Production of acne due to excessive secretion of oil from the skin.

The following table shows the names of the endocrine glands and the hormones secreted by it:

Sex hormones are the hormones that control the development of sexual characteristics in the body.
They are responsible for the physical changes in an organism and in the development of gender characteristics. Thus know as sex organs.

Functions of sex hormones:

1) Testosterone: This hormone is responsible for changes in the secondary sex characters in boys such as the growth of a beard, the voice becoming harsh, etc.

2) Oestrogen: This hormone is responsible for the development of secondary sexual characters in females such as the enlargement of breasts, development of female reproductive organs, etc.

The option (ii) is correct i.e. proper diet is needed for the rapid growth taking place in their body. Because during adolescence period, healthy diet is needed for proper development.

The correct option is (i) i.e. menstruation starts.

The reproductive age starts in women when the menstruation is started.

The correct option is (ii) i.e. chapatti, dal, vegetables.

For adolescents, healthy diet is necessary. Therefore, the diet must cotain fruits and vegetables.

(a) The protruding part of the throat, as seen in the neck of the adult is called Adam’s apple. At the time of puberty, this voice box grows in size and visible from outside in boys. This makes the voice of boys hoarse.

(b) These are features features that help in distinguishing the male and the female body from each other. They are physical or behavioural characteristics that appear in humans at the time of puberty.

Secondary sexual characters in boys:

1) Appearance of moustache and beard.

2) Appearance of chest hair.

3) Growth of hair in genital area and other body.

Secondary sexual character in girls:

1) Increase in breast size.

2) The appearance of facial hair.

3) Growth of hair in genital area and other body parts.

(c) Sex of a unborn baby depends upon the pair of sex chromosomes that are present in the cells of the baby.

The two sex chromosomes are X and Y.

The unfertilised egg always has one X chromosome.

But sperms are of two kinds. One kind has an X chromosome, and the other kind has a Y chromosome.

If both the chromosmes are X then the baby is Female child.

If one of the chromosomes are X and the other is Y then the baby is Male child.

The graph depicts the relation between the age and height of both boys and girls. During puberty, there is a sudden increase in height of both boys and girls. On the basis of the above graph, it can be observed that during the age of 4-8 years, girls have less height as compared to boys.

However, as soon as girls reach 12- 13 years, their height shows a sudden increase and becomes more than boys. In later years, growth in both boys and girls become stable. Growth during puberty is under the control of hormones.