Extra 30 short questions and answers from the chapter:7 "Reaching the Age of Adolescence" for Class 8 Science CBSE:-
1. What is adolescence?
Ans: Adolescence is the period of life between childhood and adulthood (10-19 years) when the body undergoes physical, emotional, and hormonal changes leading to puberty.
2. What is puberty?
Ans: Puberty is the stage during adolescence when the body becomes sexually mature and develops secondary sexual characteristics due to hormonal changes.
3. What are secondary sexual characteristics?
Ans: Secondary sexual characteristics are physical changes that appear during puberty, such as:
Growth of
facial and body hair
in boys.
Development of
breasts
in girls.
Deepening of
voice
in boys.
4. Name the hormones responsible for puberty in boys and girls.
Ans:
In boys,
testosterone
is responsible for puberty.
In girls,
oestrogen
and progesterone
are responsible for puberty.
5. What is menarche?
Ans: Menarche is the first occurrence of menstruation in girls, marking the start of reproductive capability, usually between 10-15 years of age.
6. What is menopause?
Ans: Menopause is the permanent stoppage of menstruation in women, occurring around 45-50 years of age, marking the end of reproductive ability.
7. What changes occur in boys during puberty?
Ans:
Growth of
facial, chest, and pubic hair
.
Deepening of voice
due to voice box enlargement.
Increase in
muscle mass
and height.
Testes start producing sperm
.
8. What changes occur in girls during puberty?
Ans:
Development of breasts
.
Widening of hips
for childbirth.
Menstruation starts (menarche)
.
Growth of
pubic and underarm hair
.
9. What is the function of the pituitary gland?
Ans: The pituitary gland is called the master gland as it:
Controls
growth and development
.
Regulates the function of
other endocrine glands
.
Produces
growth hormones
and hormones that trigger puberty.
10. What are the functions of testosterone?
Ans: Testosterone, the male hormone:
Controls
sperm production
.
Causes
voice deepening
.
Leads to the
growth of body and facial hair
.
11. What are the functions of oestrogen?
Ans: Oestrogen, the female hormone:
Helps in the
development of breasts
.
Controls
menstruation cycle
.
Aids in the
maturation of eggs in ovaries
.
12. What are sex hormones?
Ans: Sex hormones are hormones that control sexual development and reproduction. Examples:
Testosterone
(in males).
Oestrogen
& Progesterone
(in females).
13. What is the role of the thyroid gland?
Ans: The thyroid gland produces thyroxine, which controls metabolism, growth, and energy production.
14. What is the function of insulin?
Ans: Insulin is a hormone released by the pancreas, which regulates blood sugar levels.
15. What is the role of the adrenal gland?
Ans: The adrenal glands produce adrenaline, the hormone that helps in emergency situations (fight or flight response).
16. What is the menstrual cycle?
Ans: The menstrual cycle is a 28-day reproductive cycle in females where:
An
egg is released
from the ovary.
If not fertilized, the
uterine lining sheds
, leading to menstruation.
17. Why do boys experience voice change during puberty?
Ans: Boys' voices become deeper due to the growth of the voice box (larynx), making the vocal cords thicker and longer.
18. What are the functions of the male reproductive organs?
Ans:
Testes
– Produce sperm and testosterone.
Penis
– Transfers sperm into the female body.
Vas deferens
– Carries sperm from testes to the penis.
19. What are the functions of the female reproductive organs?
Ans:
Ovaries
– Produce eggs and
oestrogen
.
Uterus
– Supports embryo development.
Fallopian tube
– Carries eggs to the uterus.
20. Why is a balanced diet important during adolescence?
Ans: Adolescents need a balanced diet for:
Proper growth and development
.
Strong bones and muscles
.
Boosting immunity
.
21. What are primary sexual characteristics?
Ans: Primary sexual characteristics are reproductive organs present from birth:
Testes and penis in boys
.
Ovaries and uterus in girls
.
22. What is the role of growth hormone?
Ans: Growth hormone, released by the pituitary gland, controls:
Height
increase
during adolescence.
Bone and muscle growth
.
23. What is the difference between adolescence and puberty?
Ans:
Adolescence
is the
overall transition
from childhood to adulthood.
Puberty
is the
biological process
of body changes during adolescence.
24. What are the common emotional changes during adolescence?
Ans: Adolescents may experience:
Mood swings
.
Increased self-awareness
.
Need for independence
.
25. How can adolescents maintain personal hygiene?
Ans:
Regular bathing
to remove sweat and bacteria.
Wearing clean clothes
.
Proper genital hygiene
to prevent infections.
26. Why do teenagers have increased hunger?
Ans: Due to rapid growth and metabolism, teenagers need more energy and feel hungrier.
27. Why do boys develop more muscles than girls during puberty?
Ans: Boys produce more testosterone, which promotes muscle growth and bone strength.
28. What is the importance of physical exercise during adolescence?
Ans:
Keeps the body
fit and strong
.
Boosts mental health
.
Improves
posture and bone strength
.
29. Why is reproductive health important?
Ans: Reproductive health ensures:
Proper
growth of reproductive organs
.
Awareness about hygiene and diseases
.
30. Why should adolescents avoid drug and alcohol consumption?
Ans: Drugs and alcohol can:
Harm brain development
.
Cause addiction
.
Affect overall health
negatively.
