CHANGES AT PUBERTY
Puberty is a remarkable journey that every individual undergoes as they enter their teenage years. It is a time of rapid growth and development, both internally and externally, as our body prepares itself for adulthood. These changes are regulated by the hormones released by our endocrine system, which influence various aspects of our physical appearance and emotional well-being.
- Increase in Height: The most clearly visible change during puberty is the sudden increase in height. Initially, girls grow faster than boys but by about 18 years of age, both reach their maximum height. The rate of growth in height varies in different individuals. Some may grow suddenly at puberty and then slow down, while others may grow gradually.
- Change in Body Shape: At the age of puberty, shoulders generally broaden as a result of growth in boys. In girls, the region below the waist becomes wider. In boys, the muscles of the body grow more prominently than in girls. Thus, changes occurring in adolescent boys and girls are different.
- Voice Change: At puberty, the voice box or the larynx begins to grow. Boys develop larger voice boxes. The growing voice box in boys can be seen as a protruding part of the throat called the Adam’s apple. In girls, the larynx is hardly visible from the outside because of its small size.
- Increased Activity of Sweat and Sebaceous Glands: During puberty the secretion of sweat glands and sebaceous glands (oil glands) increases. Many young people get acne and pimples on the face at this time because of the increased activity of these glands in the skin.
- Development of Sex Organs: At puberty, male sex organs like the testes and penis develop completely. The testes also begin to produce sperm. In girls, the ovaries enlarge and eggs begin to mature. Also, ovaries start releasing mature eggs
- Reaching Mental, Intellectual and Emotional Maturity: Adolescents are more independent than before and are also self-conscious. Intellectual development takes place and they tend to spend considerable time thinking.
NCERT Notes Science for Class 8 Chapter – 7: Reaching The Age of Adolescence
NCERT Notes for Class 8 Science Chapter – 7: Reaching The Age of Adolescence: Growing up is a natural process. Growth begins from the day one is born. But upon crossing the age of 10 or 11, there is a sudden spurt in growth which becomes noticeable. The changes taking place in the body are part of growing up. They indicate that the individual is no longer a child but is on the way to becoming an adult. The period of life, when the body undergoes changes, leading to reproductive maturity, is called Adolescence.
NCERT Notes on Reaching The Age of Adolescence of Class 8 Science Chapter – 7: Adolescence begins around the age of 11 and lasts up to 18 or 19 years of age. Since this period covers the ‘teens’- 13 to 18 or 19 years of age, adolescents are also called ‘teenagers’. In girls, adolescence may begin a year or two earlier than in boys. Also, the period of adolescence varies from person to person. The human body undergoes several changes during adolescence. These changes mark the onset of Puberty. Puberty ends when an adolescent reaches reproductive maturity.