Explain the changes in humans at puberty and adolescence.
Explain the changes in humans at puberty and adolescence.
- The period of life, when the body changes, leading to reproductive maturity is called adolescence. The person undergoing the age of adolescence is called an adolescent.
- The age at which the sex hormones and sex gametes begin to be produced and a boy or a girl becomes sexually mature to reproduce is called puberty.
- The human body undergoes several changes during adolescence.
Changes in puberty and adolescence:
1. Increase in height- During puberty, there is a sudden increase in the height of both boys and girls. This increase in height is due to the increase in the length of the bones of arms and legs along with the internal body organs. This makes a person tall.
2. Change in Body Shape: During puberty,
- In boys, shoulders broaden and the body muscles grow more prominently than in girls. The boys become more muscular.
- In girls, hips gain weight, and the region below the waist becomes wider. The development of breasts also begins during this period.
3. Change in voice:
- Boys develop larger voice boxes. The growing voice box in boys can be seen from outside the neck. This protruding part of the throat is called Adam’s apple. Boys have a deep voices.
- In girls, the larynx or the voice box is hardly visible from the outside because of its small size. Generally, girls have a high-pitched voice.
4. Increased Activity of Sweat and Sebaceous Glands:
- During puberty, due to the increased activity of sweat and sebaceous glands, the secretion of sweat and oil increases.
- Adolescents get acne (skin disease) and pimples on the face at this time due to the increased secretion by these glands in the skin.
5. Development of secondary sexual character:
The features which help to distinguish the male from the female are called secondary sexual characteristics.
In Males
- Hair grows under armpits (under the arms) and in pubic regions (genital area) between the thighs.
- Hair also grows on other parts of the body like the chest and face (mustache, beard, etc.).
- Body becomes more muscular due to the development of muscles.
- The voice deepens due to the growth of the voice box (prominent Adam's apple).
- Chest and shoulders broaden.
- Testes start producing sperms.
In females:
- Hair grows under armpits and pubic region.
- Mammary glands (or breasts) develop and enlarge.
- Widening of hips, lower waist-to-hip ratio than the adult male.
- Fallopian tubes, vagina, and uterus enlarge.
- Ovaries start releasing eggs (or ova).
- Menstruation (monthly period) starts.
6. Reaching Mental, Intellectual and Emotional Maturity: The brain acquires the greatest capacity for learning. Intellectual development takes place and the adolescents spend considerable time thinking, planning for the future, etc.
- The period of life, when the body changes, leading to reproductive maturity is called adolescence. The person undergoing the age of adolescence is called an adolescent.
- The age at which the sex hormones and sex gametes begin to be produced and a boy or a girl becomes sexually mature to reproduce is called puberty.
- The human body undergoes several changes during adolescence.
Changes in puberty and adolescence:
1. Increase in height- During puberty, there is a sudden increase in the height of both boys and girls. This increase in height is due to the increase in the length of the bones of arms and legs along with the internal body organs. This makes a person tall.
2. Change in Body Shape: During puberty,
- In boys, shoulders broaden and the body muscles grow more prominently than in girls. The boys become more muscular.
- In girls, hips gain weight, and the region below the waist becomes wider. The development of breasts also begins during this period.
3. Change in voice:
- Boys develop larger voice boxes. The growing voice box in boys can be seen from outside the neck. This protruding part of the throat is called Adam’s apple. Boys have a deep voices.
- In girls, the larynx or the voice box is hardly visible from the outside because of its small size. Generally, girls have a high-pitched voice.
4. Increased Activity of Sweat and Sebaceous Glands:
- During puberty, due to the increased activity of sweat and sebaceous glands, the secretion of sweat and oil increases.
- Adolescents get acne (skin disease) and pimples on the face at this time due to the increased secretion by these glands in the skin.
5. Development of secondary sexual character:
The features which help to distinguish the male from the female are called secondary sexual characteristics.
In Males
- Hair grows under armpits (under the arms) and in pubic regions (genital area) between the thighs.
- Hair also grows on other parts of the body like the chest and face (mustache, beard, etc.).
- Body becomes more muscular due to the development of muscles.
- The voice deepens due to the growth of the voice box (prominent Adam's apple).
- Chest and shoulders broaden.
- Testes start producing sperms.
In females:
- Hair grows under armpits and pubic region.
- Mammary glands (or breasts) develop and enlarge.
- Widening of hips, lower waist-to-hip ratio than the adult male.
- Fallopian tubes, vagina, and uterus enlarge.
- Ovaries start releasing eggs (or ova).
- Menstruation (monthly period) starts.
6. Reaching Mental, Intellectual and Emotional Maturity: The brain acquires the greatest capacity for learning. Intellectual development takes place and the adolescents spend considerable time thinking, planning for the future, etc.
