ADOLESCENCE

SYLLABUS : Change in height, change in shape of body,change in voice, increased activity of sweat and sebaceous glands,
development of organs, production of hormones, emotional and intellectual development, healthy eating during adolescence,
maintaining a personal hygiene, drugs, solvents and alcohol, reproduction phase, menstrual cycle, sex determination in humans,
glands and their importance.

INTRODUCTION
Adolescence is the phase of transition from childhood to adulthood.
It is a phase when the body undergoes changes, leading to reproductive maturity. Adolescence
conjugates childhood and adulthood.
Rapid physical and emotional changes occur in life of a child when he or she steps from
childhood to adolescence. This is one of the reasons many children find it so hard to adjust with
this new phase.
Puberty is a stage in adolescence when a boy or a girl starts attaining sexual maturity which
means boys and girls are biologically ready to reproduce.
It starts gradually, from around ten or eleven years in girls and thirteen in boys. There is no set
of timing of puberty.
Many people go through different stages of puberty at different time.
Various changes occur during puberty related to growth, body development and development
of primary and secondary sexual characteristics.

1. CHANGE IN HEIGHT
There is sudden increase in the height of both boys and girls during puberty.
This occurs due to increase in the length of bones of arms and legs.
The rate of growth in height varies from person to person.
Some may grow rapidly at the start of puberty and then slow down whereas others may grow
gradually.
The height of an individual depends upon the genes which are inherited from parents.
During growing period one should take nutritive diet for proper growth of bones, muscles and
other parts of the body.

2. CHANGE IN SHAPE OF BODY

The changes occurring in adolescent boys and girls are different.
In girls hips become broader and the pelvic region widens.
Deposition of fat takes place around the hips.
Development of breast takes place.
In boys shoulders broaden and the body muscles grow more than that of the girls.

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3. CHANGE IN VOICE
During pre–adolescence stage, children comparatively have soft voice, because their larynx is
relatively small and vocal cords are relatively thin.
As boys move towards puberty, lengthening of the cartilage of the larynx occurs, resulting in
thickening of the vocal folds. The voice becomes deep and harsh, their voice box or the larynx
begins to grow and can be seen as the Adam’s apple in the neck region.
Girls have high pitched voice. The voice box in girls is hardly visible because of its small size.

4. INCREASED ACTIVITY OF SWEAT AND SEBACEOUS GLANDS

The secretion of sweat glands and sebaceous glands (oil glands) becomes over active during
puberty.
This cause acne and pimples on the face of boys and girls at this time.

5. DEVELOPMENT OF SEX ORGANS

The reproductive organs in boys and girls become fully functional at puberty.
In boys, the male sex organs like testes and penis develop completely. The testes start
producing sperms.
In girls, the ovary enlarges and eggs begin to mature. Ovaries start releasing matured eggs. Only
one egg is released per month.

6. PRODUCTION OF HORMONES
At puberty, testes and ovaries start producing sex hormones.
The testes produce the male sex hormone called testosterone.
The ovaries produce the female sex hormone called estrogen and progesterone. The sex
hormones play an important role in the process of reproduction and in the development of
secondary sexual characters.

7. EMOTIONAL AND INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT

Adolescence is also a period of change in a person’s way of thinking. They become more
independent and self-conscious.
The intellectual development takes place and they spend considerable time on thinking,
planning, analyzing, evaluating, and exchanging views and ideas with others.
They need the company of friends and get attracted towards opposite sex.
During adolescence stage young people undergo a period of emotional changes. They may feel
depressed and have mood swings and low confidence.
They may have experience various moods such as being happy, sad, angry, excited etc. They
think they need a greater degree of freedom, independence and privacy. These are the major
causes of mental stress .They often feel insecure.

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8. REPRODUCTIVE PHASE
Puberty marks the maturation of reproductive system, that is, production of gametes by germ
cells in males and females.
When the body is ready to begin pubertal changes, the pituitary gland releases special
hormones.
Depending on whether an adolescent is a male or a female, these hormones work at different
parts of the body.
In males, the hormones travel through the blood and reach to the testes, the two egg shaped
glands in the scrotum, to start the formation of sperms (male gamete), with the help of
testosterone.
Testosterone is the hormone that causes most of the changes in body of a male during puberty.
In a female, these hormones target the two ovaries to start producing another hormone, called
estrogen.
Ovaries contain eggs that have been in the female’s body since she was born. At puberty, these
eggs begin to ripen.

9. MENSTRUAL CYCLE
A single egg is released from the ovary, which is called as ovulation.
If this egg does not get fertilized with the sperm, then the tissues lining inside uterus are
passed out along with the blood. This period may last for 4-6 days on an average, this is called
menstruation.
Menarche is the beginning of menstrual cycle.
After menstruation, the lining of the uterus starts to build up and prepare itself to receive a
fertilized egg.
On the contrary if egg gets fertilized then this reaches to the inner lining of the uterus, the
breakdown of the uterus lining stops and there will be no menstrual flow till the child birth.
The average menstrual cycle is 28 days long from the first day of one menstrual period to the
first day of the next.
A normal menstrual cycle is typically between 21st and 35th day between two menstrual cycles.
For initial years that a female has started with it, the cycle may not occur regularly.
Menstruation does not occur throughout the life of a female, it usually stops between the ages
of 40 to 50 years; this is known as menopause.
During the period from menarche to menopause, a woman can give birth to the offspring’s and
hence this period is called as reproductive period.

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HEALTHY EATING DURING ADOLSCENCE
Adolescents experience a growth spurt so they need healthy food to meet their growth
requirements but sometimes they start eating too much of junk food (that is soft drinks, fast-
food, processed food) or skip breakfast or lunch.
Both boys and girls may take diet to “alter weight” for a particular sport or event which results
in an imbalanced diet.
Growth and development requires a lot of energy, so balanced diet is important.
1. A balance between the nutritional value and the taste of the food should be maintained.
2 It should provide all the nutrients in the diet like carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins,
minerals and fiber.
3. Variety of food (seasonal food available) should be kept in mind.
4. It should have enough Calcium and iron to meet growing body demand.
Physical Exercise – Along with healthy diet, daily exercise is equally important. Brisk walking,
jogging, cycling, swimming, dancing, running, skipping etc can keep the body fit and active.

MAINTAING A PERSONAL HYGEINE

Personal hygiene prevents germs, keeps one polished and displays a positive appearance to
others.
Moreover one of the changes during puberty is increased activity of sweat and sebaceous
glands so it is particularly important that adolescents practice good personal hygiene, so that
they can combat off-putting odors and stay healthy.
This would include taking daily shower, changing clothes daily, dental care and body hair
hygiene.
This helps in preventing from many infections.

DRUGS, SOLVENT AND ALCOHOL

Adolescence may get involved in trying out new experiences, some of which may be risky or
even dangerous.
They sometimes do experiment with drink or drugs or smoking.
These substances affect the health badly, it can make them sick, it may result in damage of
nervous system, decreased lung function, problems in playing sports and many more so it is
better to maintain a distance with all these things.
Say no to the problems by saying no to drugs /drinks /smoke.

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SEX DETERMINATION IN HUMANS
We have a total of 46 chromosomes (or 23pairs of chromosomes).
Out of these 46 chromosomes, 44 are autosomes and 2 are sex chromosomes.
In females there are 44 autosomes and two X chromosomes, in males there are 44 autosomes,
one X chromosome and one Y chromosome.
So the chromosomes in woman are 44 + XX, while the chromosomes in man are 44 + XY.
During gamete formation, the normal diploid chromosome number is halved. This is called the
haploid condition.
All the eggs of a female have 22 pairs + X chromosomes.
A male produces two types of sperms—one type bears the 22 + X composition and the other,
22 + Y.
Any one of the two types of sperms can fertilize the egg.
If a Y-bearing sperm fertilizes the egg, the zygote has the 44 + XY composition, and the resulting
embryo grows to be a boy.
When an X-bearing sperm fertilizes the egg, the resulting zygote has the 44 + XX composition.
This embryo develops into a girl.
All the children inherit one X chromosome from the mother.
Therefore, sex is always determined by the other sex chromosome that they inherit from the
father.
One who inherits the X chromosome of the father is a girl, while one who inherits the Y
chromosome of the father is a boy.

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GLANDS AND THEIR IMPORTANCE
Glands play a major role in development of body and its functions.
In case these glands become hyperactive or underactive then it may lead to serious problems in
our body.
For example, excessive secretion of growth hormone can cause gigantism or excessive growth
while less secretion may cause dwarfism, or very short stature.
Glands are body tissues which produce a chemical that helps the body function. Glands are of
two types, exocrine and endocrine.

Exocrine glands –
They have specific ducts or tubes to send their secretion to target place and are also called as
ducts glands.
They produce a chemical that works directly at the area where it is secreted.
For eg - salivary glands secrete saliva into the mouth to begin the process of digestion.

Endocrine glands –
These glands do not have ducts for secretion, hence these are called as ductless glands.
These are placed away from their target place so they secrete their chemicals into the blood.

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 Functions of Endocrine Glands
Gland Location Hormone produced Hormone function
1. Pineal Brain Melatonin Controls biological cycle.
Releasing or inhibitory
2. Hypothalamus Brain Stimulate pituitary gland.
hormone
3. Pituitary gland Brain Growth hormone Growth and development.
Follicle stimulating Stimulates maturation of
hormone follicles in ovary in females.
Stimulates ovulation in
Luteinizing hormone females and production of
testosterone in males.

Stimulates milk production

Prolactin
in mammary glands.

Thyroid stimulating Stimulates thyroid gland to

hormone secrete thyroxin.
Thyroxin (iodine is
In the neck essential for its formation Regulates growth and
4. Thyroid gland
region in absence goiter is metabolism.
caused)
Adrenalin also known as Prepare body to cope up
5. Adrenal gland On each kidney fight and flight or with stress, anxiety, anger,
emergency hormone. fear etc.
Insulin (In absence of
insulin glucose level
6. Pancreas Below stomach Regulates blood sugar level.
increases causing
diabetes.)
Controls ova production
7. Ovary (females Inside the lower Estrogen
and secondary sexual
only) abdominal cavity Progesterone
characters in females.
Controls sperm production
8.Testis(malesonly) In scrotal sacs Testosterone and secondary sexual
features in males.

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OBJECTIVE
1. Adolescence is the phase when the body undergoes changes, leading to:
a. Reproductive Maturity b. Physical Change
c. Emotional Change d. All of The Above

2. Puberty starts gradually, from around ten or eleven years in girls and _____ in boys.
a. 7 years b. 13 years
c. 18 years d. 21 years

3. During pre–adolescence stage, children comparatively have soft voice, because

a. Of their large larynx size
b. Their larynx is relatively small and vocal cords are relatively thin.
c. Voice box
d. None of these

4.What cause acne and pimples on the face of boys and girls during puberty?
a. The secretion of sweat glands becomes over active during puberty.
b. The secretion of sebaceous glands (oil glands) becomes over active during puberty.
c. Both a and b
d. None of these

5.What is male sex hormone called as?

a. Testosterone b. Estrogen
c. Progesterone d. Testes

6. What is female sex hormone called as?

a. Testosterone b. Estrogen and Progesterone
c. Testes d. Ovaries

7. Which of the following is not the sign of adolescence?

a. Intellectual growth b. Maturity
c. High blood pressure d. Insecurity

8. Maintaining personal hygiene is important because

a. Personal hygiene prevents germs
b. It helps in preventing from many infections.
c. It keeps one polished and displays a positive appearance to others.
d. All of the above

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9. When the body is ready to begin pubertal changes, the ______ gland releases special
hormones.
a. Salivary b. Hypothalamus
c. Pituitary d. Thyroid

10. The beginning of menstrual cycle in female is known as

a. Menarche b. Menopause
c. Reproductive Period d. Ovulation

11. The average menstrual cycle is how many days long from the first day of one menstrual
period to the first day of the next.
a. 14 b. 28 c. 42 d. 84

12. How many chromosomes in total does human have?

a. 46 b. 44 c. 48 d. 42

13. Out of these 46 chromosomes, how many are autosomes?

a. 46 b. 44 c. 48 d. 42

14. Out of these 46 chromosomes, how many are sex chromosomes?

a. 2 b. 4 c. 1 d. 5

15. How many x chromosomes are there in male?

a. 2 b. 4 c. 1 d. 5

16. How many types of sperms are produced by male?

a. 2 b. 4 c. 1 d. 5

17. All the children inherit x chromosome from?

a. Mother b. Father c. Any one of them d. None of these

18. The one who inherits Y chromosome from father is

a. Girl
b. Boy
c. Sometimes girl sometimes boy
d. Child do not inherit any chromosome from father

19. Which of the following gland releases melatonin hormone?

a. Salivary b. Hypothalamus c. Pituitary d. Pineal

20. Which of the following gland is located on each kidney?

a. Adrenaline b. Hypothalamus
c. Pituitary d. Pineal

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ANSWERS
1. d 2. b 3. b 4. c 5. a 6. b 7. c
8. d 9. c 10.a 11. b 12. a 13. b 14. a
15. c 16. a 17. a 18. b 19. d 20. a

SUBJECTIVE
1. What changes happens when a child steps from childhood to adolescence?
2. Explain why there is a change in voice when a child steps to adolescence?
3. Why acne and pimples generally appear on the face of boys and girls during puberty?
4. Explain the difference in development of sex organs in girls and boys during puberty?
5. Why at certain age children start feeling depressed and have mood swings and low
confidence?
6. Why one should take balanced diet especially during puberty?
7. Why maintaining personal hygiene is important?
8. Which hormone that causes most of the changes in body of a male during puberty?
9. What is meant by menarche, menopause and reproductive period?
10. What is mean by haploid condition?
11. What determines whether the child will be born as a girl or a boy?
12. What happens when glands become hyper active or under active?
13. What is meant by glands? How many types of glands are there?
14. Write the difference between endocrine glands and exocrine glands?
15. The hormone that Prepare body to cope up with stress, anxiety, anger, fear etc. is produced
by which gland?

Give reasons for the following:

1. Pituitary is called master gland.
2. Drugs are considered to be very bad for health.
3. Voice of males and females differ.
4. Acne and pimples are more prominent during adolescence

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NCERT EXERCISE

Q.1.What is the term used for secretions of endocrine glands responsible for changes taking
place in the body?
Ans. Hormones.

Q.2.Define adolescence.
Ans. The period of life, when the body undergoes changes, leading to reproductive maturity is
called adolescence.

Q.3.What is menstruation? Explain.

Ans. When the egg produced by ovary does not get fertilized, the released egg and the
thickened lining of the uterus along with its blood vessels are shed off. This causes bleeding in
women which is called menstruation.Menstruation occurs once in about 28 to 30 days.

Q.4.List the changes in the body that take place at puberty.

Ans. The changes in the body of puberty are:
(i) Sudden increase in height.
(ii) The bones of arms and legs elongate and make a person tall.
(iii) Growing of hair at different parts of body.
(iv)The voice of a boy gets hoarsen.
(v) Development of sex organs.
(vi)Growth of moustaches and beards in the boys.
(vii) The breast in girls develops and hips become wider whereas in boys shoulders generally
broaden.
Q.5.Prepare a table having two columns depicting names of endocrine glands and hormones
secreted by them.

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Q.6.What are sex hormones? Why are they named so? State their functions.
Ans. The hormones which help and control the formation of secondary sexual characters are
called sex hormones. They are called sex hormones because they control the sexual activities
and help us to distinguish boys from girls.
The sex hormones help to develop the secondary sexual characters. Such as, in boys they
control formation of sperms by testes and growth of facial hair. In girls they help to develop
breasts, milk secreting glands or mammary glands.

Q.7.Choose the correct option.

(a) Adolescence should be careful about what they eat, because:
(i) Proper diet develops their brains.
(ii) Proper diet is needed for the rapid growth taking place in their body.
(iii) Adolescents feel hungry all the time.
(iv) Testesbuds are well developed in teenagers.

(b) Reproductive age in women starts when their:

(i) Menstruation starts.
(ii) Breasts start developing.
(iii) Body weight increasing.
(iv) Heightincreases.

(c) The right meal for adolescents consists of:

(i) Chips, noodles, cake.
(ii) Chapatti, dal, vegetable.
(iii) Rice, noodles and burger.
(iv) Vegetablecutlets, chips and lemon drink.
Ans.
(a) (ii) Proper diet is needed for the rapid growth taking place in their body.
(b) (i) Menstruation starts.
(c) (ii) Chapatti, dal, vegetable.

Q.8. Write notes on:

(a) Adam's apple (b) Secondary Sexual characters
(c) Sex determination in unborn baby.
Ans.
(a) Adam's apple: The protruding part in the throat is called Adam's apple. It is the enlarged
voice box or larynx. It makes the voice of boys coarse.

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(b) Secondary sexual characters: The characters which help to distinguish the male from female
are called secondary sexual characters. The characters like hair on chest under arms,
development of breast, beard and moustaches are called secondary sexual characters.
(c) Sex determination in unborn baby: The sex of unborn baby is determined by the sex
chromosomes. An unfertilized egg always has X chromosomes. Sperms are of two types. One
contains X chromosomes and the other contains Y chromosomes. If sperm contributes a Y
chromosome to the egg at fertilization, the zygote would developed into male child. If a sperm
containing X chromosome fertilizes the egg, the zygote would develop into a female.

Q.9.The table below shows the data on likely heights of boys and girls as they grow in age. Draw
graphs of height and age for both boys and girls on the same graph paper. What conclusions
can be drawn from these graphs?

Ans. We conclude that initially, girls grow faster than boys but by about 18 years of age both
reach about their maximum height. The rate of growth in height varies in different individuals.

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Q.10.Word game: Use the clues to work out the words
Across Down
3. Protruding voice box in boys 1. Male hormone
4. Glands without ducts 2. Secretes thyroxin
7. Endocrine gland attached to brain 3. Another term for teenage
8. Secretion of endocrine glands 5. Hormone reaches here through blood
9. Regulates Blood Sugar Level stream
10. Female hormone 6. Voice box
7. Term for changes at adolescence.

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Ans.

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