Reaching The Age of Adolescence Class 8 Notes - Chapter 10

Reaching the Age of Adolescence Class 8
Notes- Chapter 10
Introduction
Adolescence
The period of life, when the body undergoes changes, leading to reproductive maturity, is called
adolescence. This is the time span in which the child develops into an adult.
 Adolescence begins around the age of 11 and goes on until 18 or 19 years of age.
 Adolescents are also called ‘teenagers’.
 The body at this stage undergoes important changes and these mark the period of
puberty.
To know more about Adolescence, visit here.
Puberty
Puberty is the period, during which, the human body undergoes certain changes in their body and
reproductive organs which leads to sexual maturity.
 The most important change, which marks puberty is that boys and girls become
capable of reproduction.
 In girls, puberty may begin a year or two earlier than in boys.
Changes at Puberty
 An individual goes through different changes during the onset of puberty.

 It differs in males and females, also the extent of these changes is different in each
person.
 Each individual goes through changes like increase in height, change in body shape,
change in voice, development of sex organs, mental, intellectual and emotional
maturity.
Secondary sexual characteristics
These are external, visible characteristics that develop in boys and girls after puberty, help to
distinguish the two sexes and are not directly involved in reproduction. A few of them are as
follows.
Boys:
1. The growth of facial hair.

2. The growth of body hair including underarm, abdomen, chest hair and pubic hair.
3. Chest and shoulders widen and body becomes muscular
4. Skin becomes more rough and porous, secretion of sweat glands and sebaceous glands
increase
5. Larynx (Adam’s apple)/voice box protrudes out and voice becomes deep and husk.
Girls:
1. Enlargement of breasts
2. The growth of body hair, prominently in the underarm and pubic areas.
3. Widening of hips
4. Changed fat distribution. More fat below the skin, at hips, buttocks and thighs.
5. Development of secondary reproductive organs.
To know more about Adolescence Sexual Characters, visit here.
Mental and Physical Changes at Puberty
Reproductive health
 The physical and mental well being of an individual is regarded as an individual’s

health.
 During adolescence, the reproductive organs develop and become functional.
 Reproductive health means proper growth and well being of the reproductive organs.
To know more about Reproductive Health, visit here.
Our Great Glands
Endocrine glands
An endocrine system is a group of ductless glands that regulate body processes and functioning of many
systems by secreting chemical substances called hormones.
 They release their secretions directly into the bloodstream.

 The origin and site of action are usually distant for hormones.
For More Information On Endocrine Glands, Watch The Below Video:
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Hormones
Hormones are chemical messengers secreted by the endocrine glands.
 They control body functioning, physiology and behaviour.
To know more about Endocrine glands and Hormones, visit here.
Pituitary gland
 The pituitary gland is situated in the brain and is called a master endocrine gland.
 It produces hormones that instruct other glands to secrete their hormones.
 The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone which controls the overall growth of a
person.
 Secretion of growth hormone is maximum in adolescence period.
To know more about Pituitary Gland, visit here.
Testosterone
 Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone.

 It is responsible for the development of the male reproductive organs, production of
male gamete i.e. sperms and development of secondary sexual characteristics too.
 Testes start secreting testosterone only after puberty.
Oestrogen
 Estrogen/oestrogen is the primary female sex hormone.

 It is responsible for the development of the female reproductive organs, production of
female gamete i.e. ova and development of secondary sexual characteristics and
menstrual cycle.
 Ovaries secrete this hormone after puberty.
Thyroid gland
 It is a butterfly-shaped gland situated in the throat.

 It secretes a hormone called thyroxin.
 This hormone is important as it maintains the balance of all metabolic activities.
 The deficiency of this hormone can cause swelling of the thyroid gland, leading to
goitre.
To know more about Thyroid gland, visit here.
Pancreas
 The pancreas secretes a hormone called insulin, which regulates the blood sugar level
in the body.
 Deficiency of insulin leads to diabetes.
To know more about Pancreas, visit here.
Adrenal glands
 The adrenal glands are situated right above the kidneys.

 They change their shape throughout life and shrink as a person grows older.
 They secrete a hormone adrenaline and also maintain the salt and pH balance.
 Hormone adrenaline is also called ‘fight or flight’ hormone as it functions in
emergency situations.
To know more about Adrenal gland, visit here.
Menstrual Cycle
 It is a reproductive cycle of females.

 It begins at puberty and the onset of the menstrual cycle is called ‘menarche’.
 The process includes cyclic changes in the ovaries and in the uterus, both
simultaneously.
 In the ovaries, an ovum develops and matures and then released.
 In the uterus, a thick spongy inner lining develops anticipating pregnancy.
 If the egg is fertilized, pregnancy occurs.
 If fertilisation does not occur, 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.
 The menstrual cycle stops in women anywhere between 45 to 52 years.
 Stopping of the menstrual cycle is called ‘menopause‘.
 The years between menarche and menopause marks the reproductive age of a woman
where she is able to bear a child.
To know more about Menstrual Cycle, visit here.
Boy or Girl
Sex Determination
 All human beings have 23 pairs of chromosomes in the nuclei of their cells.
 Two chromosomes out of these are of the sex chromosomes, named X and Y.
 A female has two X chromosomes, while a male has one X and one Y chromosome.
 The gametes have only one set of chromosomes.
 The unfertilised ovum always has one X chromosome.
 But in the male gametes or sperms, there exists one kind having an X
chromosome and the other kind having a Y chromosome.
When a sperm containing X chromosome fuses with an egg, it develops into a female child.
When a sperm containing Y chromosome fuses with an egg, it develops into a male child.
To know more about Sex determination, visit here.
No Crash Dieting
Personal hygiene
 Personal hygiene is very important, especially during teenage years.

 Increased activity of sweat glands sometimes makes the body smelly.
 It also leads to acne.
 All parts of the body should be washed and cleaned every day.
 If cleanliness is not maintained there are chances of catching bacterial and fungal
infections.
Balanced diet
 Adolescence also equates to a sudden spurt in growth of the body.

 A growing body requires all the nutrients.
 Therefore, all the teenagers should consume a balanced diet and not junk food.
 A balanced diet is a meal that includes proteins, carbohydrates, fats and vitamins in
proper proportions.
 Junk food affects the growth of an individual.
To know more about Balanced Diet, visit here.
Physical exercise
 Exercise ensures a healthy body and mind.

 Walking, playing or practising yoga are some of the many ways we can carry out
physical exercise.
Say NO to Drugs
 Drugs are addictive and harm the body in long term.

 Sometimes harm done by drugs becomes irreversible.
 All teenagers should say ‘NO’ to drugs.
 HIV can pass on to a normal person from an infected person by sharing the syringes
used for injecting drugs.
 It can also be transmitted to an infant from the infected mother through her milk.
 The virus can also be transmitted through sexual contact with a person infected with
HIV.
 People who are addicted to drugs have more chance of having HIV infection.

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Reaching The Age of Adolescence Class 8 Notes - Chapter 10

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Reaching the Age of Adolescence Class 8

To know more about Adolescence, visit here.

 An individual goes through different changes during the onset of puberty.

1. The growth of facial hair.

To know more about Adolescence Sexual Characters, visit here.

Mental and Physical Changes at Puberty

 The physical and mental well being of an individual is regarded as an individual’s

Our Great Glands

 They release their secretions directly into the bloodstream.

 Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone.

 Estrogen/oestrogen is the primary female sex hormone.

 It is a butterfly-shaped gland situated in the throat.

 The adrenal glands are situated right above the kidneys.

To know more about Adrenal gland, visit here.

 It is a reproductive cycle of females.

To know more about Sex determination, visit here.

 Personal hygiene is very important, especially during teenage years.

 Adolescence also equates to a sudden spurt in growth of the body.

To know more about Balanced Diet, visit here.

 Exercise ensures a healthy body and mind.

 Drugs are addictive and harm the body in long term.

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