NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter 10 – Reaching the Age of Adolescence

Orchid International School recognizes the significance of Class 8 Science Chapter 10, which provides students with essential knowledge about adolescence, changes during this phase, and the role of hormones. This chapter encompasses critical topics such as sexual maturation in boys and girls, menstrual cycles, puberty, sexual characteristics, the functions of hormones in females, sex determination, and reproductive health.

Download PDF For NCERT Solutions for Science Reaching the Age of Adolescence

The NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter 10 – Reaching the Age of Adolescence are tailored to help the students master the concepts that are key to success in their classrooms. The solutions given in the PDF are developed by experts and correlate with the CBSE syllabus of 2023-2024. These solutions provide thorough explanations with a step-by-step approach to solving problems. Students can easily get a hold of the subject and learn the basics with a deeper understanding. Additionally, they can practice better, be confident, and perform well in their examinations with the support of this PDF.

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Access Answers to NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter 10 – Reaching the Age of Adolescence

Students can access the NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter 10 – Reaching the Age of Adolescence. Curated by experts according to the CBSE syllabus for 2023–2024, these step-by-step solutions make Science much easier to understand and learn for the students. These solutions can be used in practice by students to attain skills in solving problems, reinforce important learning objectives, and be well-prepared for tests.

Reaching the Age of Adolescence

Question 1 :

Define adolescence.

Answer :

Adolescence is the age period of life when the human body undergoes many changes, and this period also will lead to reproductive maturity. This begins from the age of 11 and lasts up to 18 or 19. This age may vary from individual to individual. Adolescents are also called teenagers as this period covers the teens that are 13 to 18 or 19 years of age.

 


Question 2 :

What is menstruation? Explain.

 

Answer :

Menstruation occurs in the female after puberty once in about 28 to 30 days. 

Every month, an ovary produces an egg and the uterus is prepared for implantation. During this, the wall of the uterus becomes thick so it receives the egg, just in case it’s fertilized and begins to develop. This results in pregnancy. If fertilization doesn’t occur, this causes bleeding in women which are named menstruation. This happens because of the released egg, and the thickened lining of the uterus along with its blood vessels are shed off. This lasts for 3 to 5 days in a healthy female and this process occurs every month so called as Menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle is controlled by hormones. Menarche is the first menstrual flow that begins at puberty. The stoppage of menstruation is called menopause this happens at 45 to 50 years of age.

 


Question 3 :

What  is the term used for secretions of endocrine glands responsible for changes taking place in the body?

 

Answer :

Hormone is that the term used for secretions of endocrine glands responsible for changes happening within the body. The changes which occur in adolescence are controlled by these chemical substances called hormones.

 


Question 4 :

 List changes in the body that take place at puberty.

 

Answer :

Changes at puberty:

  • Increase in height.

  • Change in body shape.

  • Voice change. Changing the pharynx leads to a slight deepening of voice for girls and much deeper in boys.

  • Increased Activity of Sweat and Sebaceous Glands. The appearance of facial and pubic hair in boys, while the development of mammary glands in girls is observed.

  • Development of Sex Organs. Testis grows and starts producing mature sperms while ovaries start the menstrual cycle to produce eggs.

  • Reaching Mental, Intellectual and Emotional Maturity.

 


Question 5 :

 Prepare a table having two columns depicting names of endocrine glands and hormones secreted by them.

 

Answer :

Table showing names of endocrine glands and hormones secreted by them is as below,

Endocrine gland

Hormones

Testis

Testosterone

Ovary

Estrogen

Thyroid

Thyroxin

Adrenal

Adrenalin

Pancreas

Insulin

Pituitary

Growth hormone

 


Question 6 :

What are sex hormones? Why are they named so? State their function.

Answer :

  • The sex hormones, which are produced by the sex organs. The sex organs in males are the testis and for females, it is the ovaries.

  • Testis produces testosterone as a male sex hormone while estrogen is the female sex hormone.

  • The function of testosterone: Growth of facial and pubic hairs, deepening of voice, development of reproductive organs etc.

  • The function of estrogen: Breast enlargement, change in voice, development of reproductive organs etc.

 


Question 7 :

Choose the correct option.

(i) Adolescents should be careful about what they eat, because

  • a proper diet develops their brains.

  • a proper diet is needed for the rapid growth taking place in their body.

  • adolescents feel hungry all the time.

  • taste buds are well developed in teenagers.

(ii) Reproductive age in women starts when their

  • menstruation starts.

  • breasts start developing.

  • body weight increases.

  • height increases.

(iii) The right meal for adolescents consists of

  • chips, noodles, coke.

  • chapati, dal, vegetables.

  • rice, noodles and burger.

  • vegetable cutlets, chips and lemon drink.

 

Answer :

(i) Adolescents should be careful about what they eat because a proper diet is needed for the rapid growth taking place in their body.

 

(ii) Reproductive age in women starts when their menstruation starts.

 

(iii) The right meal for adolescents consists of chapati, dal, vegetables.

 


Question 8 :

Write notes on −

(a) Adam’s apple.

 

(b) Secondary sexual characters.

 

Answer :

(a) The larynx or voice box in males begins to grow at puberty. . Boys develop larger voice boxes than girls so boys will have a deep voice. In males, the growing voice box may be seen as a protruding part of the throat which is called Adam’s apple.

 

(b) These are those characteristics that help in distinguishing male and female. The characteristics developed during the time of puberty.

In Male:

  • The appearance of mustache, beard, chest hair.

  • Deepening of voice.

  • Hair growth in the pubic and other parts of the skin. 

In Female:

  • Increasing the size of the breast and hips

  • Growth of hair at pubic and other parts of the skin.

  • Sex determination in the unborn baby.

 Sex determination can be done based on the sex chromosome that fuses together to make the zygote. Every individual has 23 pairs (46 individuals) of chromosomes whether male or female. Out of that 23 pairs, 22 pairs are the same for both males and females. The last one is called as sex chromosome. In the male sex, the chromosome is XY while in the female sex chromosome is XX. During gamete formation the male produces two types of gametes X gamete and Y gametes while the female produces two X gametes.

So, during fusion females will always give 22+X always while males can give 22+X or       22+Y.

Depending on which one fuses with 22+X (given by female) the sex of the unborn baby is decided.

22+X (F) + 22+X (M) = girl child 

22+X (F) + 22+Y (M) = boy child

So, X and Y chromosome is the deciding factor for the sex of the unborn kid.

Sex Determination of an unborn child

 


Question 9 :

Word game: Use the clues to work out the words. Across

  • Protruding voice box in boys

  • Glands without ducts

  • Endocrine gland attached to the brain

  • Secretion of endocrine glands

  • Pancreatic hormone

  • Female hormone Down

  • Male hormone

  • Secretes thyroxine

  • Another term for teenage

  • Hormone reaches here through the bloodstream

  • Voicebox

  • Term for changes at adolescence

Crossword Puzzle

 

 

 

Answer :

 

Across

  • Adam’s Apple

  • Endocrine

  • Pituitary

  • Hormone

  • Insulin

  • Estrogen

Down

  • Testosterone

  • Thyroid

  • Adolescence

  • Target Site

  • Larynx

  • Puberty

Answer of Crossword Puzzle.

 


Question 10 :

The table below shows the data on the likely heights of boys and girls as they grow in age. Draw graphs showing height and age for both boys and girls on the same graph paper. What conclusions can be drawn from these graphs?


Age (Years)

Height (cm)

Boys

Girls


0


53


53


4


96


92


8


114


110


12


129


133


16


150


150


20


173


165

 

Answer :

 

Graph showing height and age for both boys and girls.

 

Image: Graph showing height and age for both boys and girls.

The graph depicts the relation between the age and height for both boys and girls. During puberty, there’s a sudden increase in height of both boys and girls. Based on the above graph, it can be observed that during the age of 4-8 years, girls have less height as compared to boys. However, as soon as girls reach 12- 13 years, their height shows a sudden increase which is more than boys. In later years, growth in both boys and girls becomes stable. Growth during puberty is under the control of hormones.

 


Frequently Asked Questions

The NCERT solution for Class 8  Chapter 10 :  Reaching the Age of Adolescence is important as it provides a structured approach to learning, ensuring that students develop a strong understanding of foundational concepts early in their academic journey. By mastering these basics, students can build confidence and readiness for tackling more difficult concepts in their further education. 

Yes, the NCERT solution for Class 8  Chapter 10 :  Reaching the Age of Adolescence is quite useful for students in preparing for their exams. The solutions are simple, clear, and concise allowing students to understand them better. They can solve the practice questions and exercises that allow them to get exam-ready in no time.

You can get all the NCERT solutions for Class 8 Science  Chapter 10  from the official website of the Orchids International School. These solutions are tailored by subject matter experts and are very easy to understand. 

Yes, students must practice all the questions provided in the NCERT solution for Class 8 Science   Chapter 10 :  Reaching the Age of Adolescence as it will help them gain a comprehensive understanding of the concept, identify their weak areas, and strengthen their preparation. 

Students can utilize the NCERT solution for Class 8 Science  Chapter 10  effectively by practicing the solutions regularly. Solve the exercises and practice questions given in the solution.

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