Short Intro

Adolescence is an important stage of life in which rapid physical, emotional, mental and social changes take place. This chapter explains puberty, secondary sexual characteristics, menstrual hygiene, psychosocial development, teenage pregnancy, body measurements and pharmacology. These solutions are prepared in simple English Unicode for easy understanding and portal publishing.

Quick Information Box

Topic	Details
Chapter Name	Growth and Development during Adolescence
Class	10
Subject	Health and Physical Education
Main Concepts	Puberty, Growth Spurt, Menstruation, BMI, Blood Pressure
Important Age Group	10–19 years
Key Formula	BMI = Weight (kg) ÷ Height² (m²)

Concepts Used (Topics Covered)

• Adolescence and Puberty
• Physical Growth and Development
• Secondary Sexual Characteristics
• Wet Dreams
• Menstruation and Hygiene
• Psychosocial Changes
• Teenage Pregnancy
• Vital Statistics and Body Functions
• Blood Pressure and BMI
• Pharmacology and Effects of Drugs

Important Formulas

Body Mass Index (BMI)

$BMI=\frac{\text{Weight (kg)}}{\text{Height (m)}^2}$BMI=Height (m)2Weight (kg)​

BMI Classification

• Normal BMI = 18 to 25
• Overweight = More than 25 and less than 29
• Obese = More than 30

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Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions with Explanation

I. Fill in the Blanks

1. Childhood is ____________________________.

Answer

Childhood is the stage from 1 to 10 years of age.

Explanation

During childhood, rapid to moderate growth takes place depending on nutrition and health.

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2. Adolescence is __________________________.

Answer

Adolescence is the period from 10 to 19 years marked by rapid physical, mental, emotional and social changes.

Explanation

It begins with puberty and ends when adulthood starts.

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3. Five changes occurring in boys and girls during adolescence are ____________, ___________, ______________, _____________ and ____________.

Answer

Increase in height, change in voice, growth of hair, development of sex organs and emotional changes.

Explanation

These changes occur because of hormonal activity during puberty.

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II. Choose the Correct Option

1. Proper hygiene should be practised during adolescence.

Answer

Yes

Explanation

Good hygiene prevents infections and keeps the body healthy.

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2. Wet dream is a normal phenomenon.

Answer

Yes

Explanation

Wet dreams are natural physiological processes in adolescent boys.

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3. Government is supporting schemes for promoting menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls.

Answer

Yes

Explanation

Government schemes provide sanitary napkins and awareness programs.

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4. The adolescents begin to be extremely conscious of their physical appearance once secondary sexual characteristics begin to develop.

Answer

Yes

Explanation

Adolescents become more aware about body image and appearance.

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5. The adolescents begin to develop a strong sense of identity due to increased mental development.

Answer

Yes

Explanation

Mental and emotional growth helps adolescents build self-identity.

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6. Early pregnancy may end in damaged reproductive tract in girls.

Answer

Yes

Explanation

Teenage pregnancy increases health risks and complications during childbirth.

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7. Physical growth spurt during adolescence is embarrassing.

Answer

No

Explanation

Growth spurt is a natural process of development.

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8. Change of voice in boys is a sign of adolescence.

Answer

Yes

Explanation

Hormonal changes during puberty cause the voice to become deeper.

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III. Answer the Following Questions

1. What are the health and educational implications of adolescent pregnancy?

Answer

Health Implications

1. Adolescent mothers are not mentally prepared for motherhood.
2. They are more likely to suffer from anemia.
3. Risk of maternal death increases.
4. Infant mortality is higher.
5. Childbirth complications may occur.
6. Reproductive organs may get damaged.

Educational Implications

1. Education may stop early.
2. Career opportunities become limited.
3. Financial and social problems may arise.
4. Psychological stress increases.

Explanation

Teenage pregnancy affects both mother and child physically, emotionally and socially.

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2. Write down the process of the following:

(i) Mid-arm Circumference

Answer

1. Locate the middle point between shoulder and elbow.
2. Wrap measuring tape around the biceps area.
3. Note the reading carefully.

Explanation

It helps measure body growth and nutritional status.

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(ii) Measurement of Height

Answer

1. Stand straight against a wall.
2. Keep heels together and look forward.
3. Measure height using a measuring tape.

Explanation

Height measurement helps track physical growth.

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(iii) Body Mass Index (BMI)

Answer

1. Measure weight in kilograms.
2. Measure height in meters.
3. Apply the formula:

$BMI=\frac{Weight\,(kg)}{Height\,(m)^2}$BMI=Height(m)2Weight(kg)​

Explanation

BMI indicates whether a person is underweight, normal or obese.

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(iv) Tongue Examination

Answer

1. Observe tongue colour and texture.
2. Check for ulcers, swelling or infections.
3. Examine upper and lower surfaces carefully.

Explanation

Tongue examination helps detect nutritional deficiencies and diseases.

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(v) Examination of Nail Beds

Answer

1. Observe nail colour and shape.
2. Check for swelling or discoloration.
3. Identify abnormal nail growth or lesions.

Explanation

Nail examination helps identify health and nutritional problems.

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3. Write a short note on pharmacology.

Answer

Pharmacology is the study of drugs and their effects on the human body. Drugs are used for curing diseases, reducing pain and preventing illness.

Therapeutic Effects

• Stimulating cell function
• Preventing infections
• Reducing allergies
• Relieving constipation

Side Effects

• Dry mouth
• Tissue damage
• Excessive bleeding
• Toxicity

Prevention

Medicines should only be taken according to doctor’s prescription.

Explanation

Correct use of medicines improves health while wrong use may cause harmful effects.

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Common Mistakes

• Confusing puberty with adolescence
• Using wrong BMI formula
• Ignoring menstrual hygiene practices
• Believing myths related to wet dreams
• Writing incomplete health implications of teenage pregnancy

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Exam Tips

• Learn definitions of adolescence and puberty properly.
• Memorize BMI formula and BMI ranges.
• Write points in headings for long answers.
• Use keywords like hormones, growth spurt, hygiene and psychosocial changes.
• Practice diagram-based and activity-based questions.

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Practice MCQs

1. Adolescence generally occurs between:

A. 1–5 years
B. 5–10 years
C. 10–19 years
D. 20–30 years

Answer

C. 10–19 years

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2. Which hormone is mainly responsible in males during puberty?

A. Estrogen
B. Progesterone
C. Testosterone
D. Insulin

Answer

C. Testosterone

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3. Menstruation begins with:

A. Menopause
B. Menarche
C. Ovulation
D. Fertilization

Answer

B. Menarche

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4. Normal BMI range is:

A. 10–15
B. 18–25
C. 30–35
D. 40–45

Answer

B. 18–25

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5. High blood pressure is called:

A. Hypotension
B. Hypertension
C. Respiration
D. Digestion

Answer

B. Hypertension

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FAQ Section

Q1. What is adolescence?

Adolescence is the stage between childhood and adulthood involving physical and emotional changes.

Q2. What are secondary sexual characteristics?

These are body changes such as voice change, growth of hair and development of breasts during puberty.

Q3. What is menarche?

Menarche is the first menstrual cycle in girls.

Q4. Why is BMI important?

BMI helps determine whether body weight is healthy or not.

Q5. Are wet dreams normal?

Yes, wet dreams are a normal physiological process during adolescence.

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