7. Reaching the Age of Adolescence
The chapter discusses the changes that occur in the human body during adolescence, a crucial period marked by physical, mental, and emotional growth leading to reproductive maturity. It highlights the role of hormones in triggering these changes, the development of secondary sexual characteristics, and the importance of proper nutrition and hygiene during this transformative time.
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What we have learnt
- Humans become capable of reproduction after puberty sets in. Children between the ages of 11 and 19 years are called adolescents.
- The onset of puberty brings about growth of the reproductive organs. Hair grows in various places on the body, while boys develop facial hair and girls have their breasts develop.
- The changes during adolescence are controlled by hormones released by endocrine glands, which have significant roles in the maturation process.
Key Concepts
- -- Adolescence
- A phase of life when the body undergoes changes leading to reproductive maturity, typically occurring between the ages of 11 and 19.
- -- Hormones
- Chemical substances secreted by endocrine glands that influence growth, metabolism, and reproductive processes.
- -- Menstruation
- The monthly shedding of the uterine lining in females when no pregnancy occurs, marking the end of the menstrual cycle.
- -- Puberty
- The phase during adolescence that marks the development of secondary sexual characteristics and the ability to reproduce.
- -- Secondary Sexual Characters
- Physical traits that distinguish the sexes, including breast development in girls and facial hair in boys.
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