Class 8 Science - Chapter 10 (Reaching the Age of Adolescence) | Scert Assam | Ncert | SEBA
NCERT Class 8 Science – Chapter 10
Reaching the Age of Adolescence – Exercise Answers
1. What is the term used for chemical secretions of endocrine glands responsible for body changes?
Answer: These chemical secretions are called hormones. They control various changes in the body.
2. Define adolescence.
Answer: Adolescence is the period between childhood and adulthood (around 11–18/19 years) during which the body grows and becomes sexually mature.
3. What is menstruation? Explain.
Answer: Menstruation is the monthly shedding of the uterine lining when fertilization does not occur. It lasts for 2–8 days and is part of the menstrual cycle.
4. List changes in the body that take place at puberty.
- Rapid increase in height and weight
- Hair growth in armpits, face, and genital areas
- Girls: Ovaries mature and release eggs
- Boys: Testes enlarge and produce sperm
- Voice deepens in boys
- Increased oil secretion causing acne
- Body shape changes in both boys and girls
5. Table of Endocrine Glands and the Hormones They Secrete
| Endocrine Gland | Hormone |
|---|---|
| Testis | Testosterone |
| Ovary | Oestrogen |
| Pituitary | Growth Hormone |
| Adrenal | Adrenaline |
| Thyroid | Thyroxine |
| Pancreas | Insulin |
6. What are sex hormones? Why are they named so? State their functions.
Answer: Sex hormones are chemicals produced by the sex organs and are named so because they control sexual development.
Oestrogen (Females): Develops breasts and female body features.
Testosterone (Males): Develops beard, deep voice, and male features.
7. Choose the correct option.
(a) (ii) Proper diet is needed for rapid growth.
(b) (i) Menstruation starts.
(c) (ii) Chapati, dal, vegetables.
8. Write notes on:
(a) Adam’s apple
The enlarged voice box (larynx) seen in boys during puberty. It causes the voice to become deeper.
(b) Secondary sexual characters
Features that appear at puberty.
Boys: Beard, deep voice, broad shoulders
Girls: Breasts, wider hips
Both: Hair growth in armpits and genital areas
(c) Sex determination in the unborn baby
The sex of a baby depends on chromosomes:
- Egg always has X
- Sperm carries X or Y
X + X = Girl
X + Y = Boy
9. Word Game – Answers
Across:
Adam’s apple, Endocrine, Pituitary, Hormone, Insulin, Estrogen
Down:
Testosterone, Thyroid, Adolescence, Target site, Larynx, Puberty
These answers are rewritten By Sumit Dey in simple, brief, and student-friendly language for easy understanding.