NCERT Textbook Exercises
The term used for chemical secretions of endocrine glands responsible for changes taking place in the body is Hormones.
Adolescence is the period of life, beginning around the age of 11 and lasting until 18 or 19 years of age, when the body undergoes distinct changes leading to reproductive maturity. This transitional phase is marked by rapid physical and psychological growth.
Menstruation is the periodic bleeding from the uterus that occurs in females of reproductive age. In this process, if fertilization does not occur, the released egg along with the thickened lining of the uterus and its blood vessels are shed off. This causes bleeding, which is called menstruation. It occurs once in about 28 to 30 days and the cycle is known as the menstrual cycle.
The changes that take place at puberty include:
- Increase in Height: Sudden increase in height due to elongation of long bones.
- Change in Body Shape: Broadening of shoulders in boys and widening of hips in girls.
- Voice Change: Voice becomes deeper in boys (due to Adam's apple) and high-pitched in girls.
- Increased Activity of Sweat and Sebaceous Glands: Leading to acne and pimples.
- Development of Sex Organs: Testes and ovaries mature and start producing gametes.
- Mental, Intellectual, and Emotional Maturity: Adolescents become more independent and capable of complex thinking.
| Endocrine Gland | Hormone Secreted |
|---|---|
| Pituitary Gland | Growth Hormone |
| Thyroid Gland | Thyroxine |
| Adrenal Gland | Adrenaline |
| Pancreas | Insulin |
| Testis (in males) | Testosterone |
| Ovary (in females) | Estrogen |
Sex hormones are chemical substances produced by the sex organs (testes and ovaries). They are named so because they control the development of secondary sexual characters which distinguish males from females.
Functions:
- Testosterone (Male hormone): Responsible for secondary sexual characters in boys like growth of facial hair, deepening of voice, and muscle development.
- Estrogen (Female hormone): Responsible for secondary sexual characters in girls like development of breasts, broadening of hips, and regulation of the menstrual cycle.
(a) Adolescents should be careful about what they eat, because:
(ii) proper diet is needed for the rapid growth taking place in their body.
(b) Reproductive age in women starts when their:
(i) menstruation starts.
(c) The right meal for an adolescent consists of:
(ii) Chapati, dal, vegetables.
(a) Adam's apple: At puberty, the voice box or larynx begins to grow. In boys, the growing voice box can be seen as a protruding part of the throat called Adam's apple. This leads to a deep voice in boys.
(b) Secondary sexual characters: These are features that help distinguish the male from the female. In boys, facial hair (moustache and beard) begins to grow. In girls, breasts begin to develop. These features are called secondary sexual characters.
(c) Sex determination in the unborn baby: The sex of a baby is determined by the chromosomes present in the fertilized egg. If a sperm containing an X chromosome fertilizes the egg (X), the zygote will have XX chromosomes and develop into a female. If a sperm containing a Y chromosome fertilizes the egg (X), the zygote will have XY chromosomes and develop into a male.
Across:
- 3. Protruding voice box in boys - ADAMSAPPLE
- 4. Glands without ducts - ENDOCRINE
- 7. Endocrine gland attached to brain - PITUITARY
- 8. Secretion of endocrine glands - HORMONE
- 9. Pancreatic hormone - INSULIN
- 10. Female hormone - ESTROGEN
Down:
- 1. Male hormone - TESTOSTERONE
- 2. Secretes thyroxine - THYROID
- 3. Another term for teenage - ADOLESCENCE
- 5. Hormone reaches here through blood stream - TARGETSITE
- 6. Voice box - LARYNX
- 7. Term for changes at adolescence - PUBERTY
Extra Important Questions
Personal hygiene is crucial for adolescents because the increased activity of sweat glands and sebaceous glands can lead to body odour and acne. Regular bathing and cleaning of private parts are necessary to prevent bacterial infections.
The metamorphosis of insects (larva to adult) is controlled by insect hormones. In frogs, the metamorphosis from tadpole to adult frog is controlled by the hormone thyroxine produced by the thyroid gland. Thyroxine production requires the presence of iodine in water. If water lacks iodine, tadpoles cannot transform into frogs.
Chromosomes are thread-like structures present in the nucleus of a cell. They carry genes and transmit hereditary characters from parents to offspring. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes in the nucleus of their cells.
Detailed Chapter Discussion: Reaching the Age of Adolescence
1. Introduction to Adolescence and Puberty
Growth is a natural process that begins from the very day an individual is born. However, upon crossing the age of 10 or 11, there is a sudden spurt in growth which becomes noticeable. The changes taking place in the body are part of growing up. They indicate that you are no longer a child but are on the way to becoming an adult.
Adolescence: The period of life, when the body undergoes changes, leading to reproductive maturity, is called adolescence.
Adolescence begins around the age of 11 and lasts upto 18 or 19 years of age. Since this period covers the 'teens' (13 to 18 or 19 years of age), adolescents are also called "teenagers". In girls, adolescence may begin a year or two earlier than in boys. Also, the period of adolescence varies from person to person.
The human body undergoes several changes during adolescence. These changes mark the onset of puberty. The most important change which marks puberty is that boys and girls become capable of reproduction. Puberty ends when an adolescent reaches reproductive maturity.
2. Changes at Puberty
During puberty, the body experiences dramatic changes initiated by hormones. Let's discuss each of them in detail.
a) Increase in Height
The most conspicuous change during puberty is the sudden increase in height. At this time the long bones, that is, the bones of the arms and the legs elongate and make a person tall. Initially, girls grow faster than boys but by about 18 years of age, both reach their maximum height. The rate of growth in height varies in different individuals.
The height of an individual is more or less similar to that of some family member. This is because height depends on the genes inherited from parents. However, it is very important to eat the right kind of food during these growing years. This helps the bones, muscles and other parts of the body get adequate nourishment for growth.
(Present height (cm) / % of full height at this age) × 100
Example: A boy is 9 years old and 120 cm tall. At the end of the growth period, he is likely to be:
(120 / 75) × 100 = 160 cm tall.
b) Change in Body Shape
Have you noticed that boys in your class have broader shoulders and wider chests than boys in junior classes? This is because they have entered the age of puberty when shoulders generally broaden as a result of growth. In girls, the region below the waist becomes wider.
In boys, the muscles of the body grow more prominently than in the girls. Thus, changes occurring in adolescent boys and girls are different.
c) Voice Change
At puberty, the voice box or the larynx begins to grow. Boys develop larger voice boxes. The growing voice box in boys can be seen as a protruding part of the throat called Adam's apple.
In girls, the larynx is hardly visible from the outside because of its small size. Generally, girls have a high pitched voice, whereas boys have a deep voice. In adolescent boys, sometimes, the muscles of the growing voice box go out of control and the voice becomes hoarse. This state may remain for a few days or weeks after which the voice becomes normal.
d) Increased Activity of Sweat and Sebaceous Glands
During puberty the secretion of sweat glands and sebaceous glands (oil glands) increases. Many young people get acne and pimples on the face at this time because of the increased activity of these glands in the skin. A few glands such as sweat glands, oil glands and salivary glands release their secretions through ducts.
e) Development of Sex Organs
At puberty, male sex organs like the testes and penis develop completely. The testes also begin to produce sperms. In girls, the ovaries enlarge and eggs begin to mature. Also, ovaries start releasing mature eggs.
f) Reaching Mental, Intellectual and Emotional Maturity
Adolescence is also a period of change in a person's way of thinking. Adolescents are more independent than before and are also self conscious. Intellectual development takes place and they tend to spend considerable time thinking. In fact, it is often the time in one's life when the brain has the greatest capacity for learning.
Sometimes, an adolescent may feel insecure while trying to adjust to the changes in the body and mind. But as adolescent learners, you should know that there is no reason to feel insecure. These changes are a natural part of growing up.
3. Secondary Sexual Characters
You have learnt that testes and ovaries are the reproductive organs. They produce the gametes, that is, sperms and ova. In girls, breasts begin to develop at puberty and boys begin to grow facial hair, that is, moustaches and beard. As these features help to distinguish the male from the female they are called secondary sexual characters. Boys also develop hair on their chest. In both boys and girls, hair grows under the arms and in the region above the thighs or the pubic region.
The changes which occur at adolescence are controlled by hormones. Hormones are chemical substances. These are secretions from endocrine glands, or endocrine system. The male hormone or testosterone begins to be released by the testes at the onset of puberty. This causes changes in boys about which you have just learnt, for example, the growth of facial hair.
Once puberty is reached in girls, ovaries begin to produce the female hormone or estrogen which makes the breasts develop. Activity of sex hormones is under the control of another hormone secreted by an endocrine gland called the pituitary gland.
4. Role of Hormones in Initiating Reproductive Function
Endocrine glands release hormones into the bloodstream to reach a particular body part called the target site. The target site responds to the hormone. There are many endocrine glands or ductless glands in the body.
The testes and ovaries secrete sex hormones. You have just learnt that these hormones are responsible for the male and female secondary sexual characters. Further, the sex hormones are under the control of hormones from the pituitary gland. The pituitary secretes many hormones, one of which makes ova mature in the ovaries and sperms form in the testes.
Cycle of Hormone Action:
- Hormones from pituitary stimulate testes and ovaries to release testosterone (in male) and estrogen (in female).
- These hormones are released in the blood stream and reach parts of the body (target site).
- They stimulate changes in the body at the onset of puberty.
5. Reproductive Phase of Life in Humans
Adolescents become capable of reproduction when their testes and ovaries begin to produce gametes. The capacity for maturation and production of gametes lasts for a much longer time in males than in females.
In females, the reproductive phase of life begins at puberty (10 to 12 years of age) and generally lasts till the age of approximately 45 to 50 years. The ova begin to mature with the onset of puberty. One ovum matures and is released by one of the ovaries once in about 28 to 30 days. During this period, the wall of the uterus becomes thick so as to receive the egg, in case it is fertilized and begins to develop. This results in pregnancy.
Menstruation, Menarche and Menopause
If fertilization does not occur, the released egg, and the thickened lining of the uterus along with its blood vessels are shed off. This causes bleeding in women which is called menstruation. Menstruation occurs once in about 28 to 30 days.
- Menarche: The first menstrual flow begins at puberty and is termed menarche.
- Menopause: At 45 to 50 years of age, the menstrual cycle stops. Stoppage of menstruation is termed menopause.
Initially, menstrual cycle may be irregular. It takes some time to become regular.
6. Sex Determination (Boy or Girl?)
Inside the fertilized egg or zygote is the instruction for determining the sex of the baby. This instruction is present in the thread-like structures called chromosomes in the fertilized egg. All human beings have 23 pairs of chromosomes in the nuclei of their cells. Two chromosomes out of these are the sex chromosomes, named X and Y. A female has two X chromosomes, while a male has one X and one Y chromosome.
The gametes (sperm and egg) have only one set of chromosomes. The unfertilized egg always has one X
chromosome. But sperms are of two kinds:
1. One kind has an X chromosome,
2. The other kind has a Y
chromosome.
The Mechanism:
- If a sperm containing X chromosome fertilizes the egg, the zygote would have two X chromosomes (XX) and develop into a female child.
- If the sperm contributes a Y chromosome to the egg (X), the zygote would have XY chromosomes and develop into a male child.
Thus, it is the sperm that determines the sex of the child. It is completely incorrect and unjust to blame the mother for bearing a female child, as she contributes only an X chromosome in all cases.
7. Hormones other than Sex Hormones
The hormones secreted by the pituitary stimulate testes and ovaries to produce their hormones. You have already learnt that the pituitary gland is an endocrine gland. It is attached to the brain.
Apart from the pituitary, testes and ovaries, there are other endocrine glands in the body such as thyroid, pancreas and adrenals.
| Gland | Hormone | Function / Deficiency Disease |
|---|---|---|
| Thyroid | Thyroxine | Regulates metabolism. Deficiency causes Goitre (swelling of throat). |
| Pancreas | Insulin | Regulates blood sugar level. Deficiency causes Diabetes. |
| Adrenals | Adrenalin | Helps the body to adjust to stress, anger, embarrassment, or worry. Maintains salt balance. |
| Pituitary | Growth Hormone | Controls growth of the body. Also controls other glands. |
8. Role of Hormones in Completing Life History of Insects and Frogs
You have already learnt about the life history of the silk moth and the frog. The caterpillar has to pass through various stages to become an adult moth. Similarly, the tadpole passes through certain stages to become a frog. This change from larva to adult is called metamorphosis.
Metamorphosis in insects is controlled by insect hormones. In a frog, it is controlled by thyroxine, the hormone produced by the thyroid. Thyroxine production requires the presence of iodine in water. If the water in which the tadpoles are growing does not contain sufficient iodine, the tadpoles cannot become adults. This explains why iodine is vital for aquatic life development as well.
9. Reproductive Health
The physical and mental well-being of an individual is regarded as an individual's health. To keep the body healthy, every human being, at any age, needs to have a balanced diet, must keep the body clean, and undergo adequate physical exercise. During adolescence, these become even more essential as the body is growing.
a) Nutritional Needs of the Adolescents
Adolescence is a stage of rapid growth and development. Hence the diet for an adolescent has to be carefully planned. You already know that a balanced diet means that the meals include proteins, carbohydrates, fats and vitamins in requisite proportions. Our Indian meal of roti/rice, dal (pulses) and vegetables is a balanced meal. Milk is a balanced food in itself. Fruits also provide nourishment.
Iron builds blood and iron-rich food such as leafy vegetables, jaggery, meat, citrus, and Indian gooseberry (amla) are good for adolescents. Girls should take special care to include iron in their diet as menstruation causes loss of blood.
Chips and packed or tinned snacks, though very tasty, should never replace regular meals as they do not have adequate nutritional value.
b) Personal Hygiene
Everyone should have a bath at least once every day. It is more necessary for teenagers because the increased activity of sweat glands sometimes makes the body smell. All parts of the body should be washed and cleaned every day. If cleanliness is not maintained there are chances of catching bacterial infection. Girls should take special care of cleanliness during the time of menstrual flow. They should keep track of their menstrual cycle and be prepared for the onset of menstruation.
c) Physical Exercise
Walking and playing in fresh air keeps the body fit and healthy. All young boys and girls should take walks, exercise and play outdoor games.
d) Say "NO" to Drugs
Adolescence is a period of much activity in the body and mind which is a normal part of growing up. So do not feel confused or insecure. If anybody suggests that you will get relief if you take some drugs, just say 'No', unless prescribed by the doctor. Drugs are addictive. If you take them once, you feel like taking them again and again. They harm the body in the long run. They ruin health and happiness.
AIDS: You must have heard about AIDS which is caused by a dangerous virus, HIV. This virus can pass on to a normal person from an infected person by sharing the syringes used for injecting drugs. It can also be transmitted to an infant from the infected mother through her milk. The virus can also be transmitted through sexual contact with a person infected with HIV.
10. Adolescent Pregnancy
You might be knowing that in our country, the legal age for marriage is 18 years for girls and 21 years for boys. This is because teenage mothers are not prepared mentally or physically for motherhood. Early marriage and motherhood cause health problems in the mother and the child. It also curtails employment opportunities for the young woman and may cause mental agony as she is not ready for responsibilities of motherhood.
50 Key Facts: Reaching the Age of Adolescence
Adolescence is defined as that transitional period of life when the body undergoes distinct and rapid changes, leading to reproductive maturity. It acts as a bridge between childhood and adulthood. This period begins around the age of 11 years and lasts up to 18 or 19 years of age. Since it covers the 'teen' years (13 to 19), adolescents are famously called teenagers.
Puberty is the specific phase within adolescence when the human body becomes sexually mature. It is marked by the onset of several physical and physiological changes. The most significant change during puberty is that boys and girls become capable of reproduction. Puberty ends when an adolescent reaches complete reproductive maturity in terms of organ development and gamete production.
It is important to understand that the rate of growth during adolescence varies from person to person. Some may grow suddenly at the start of puberty and then slow down, while others may grow gradually. This variation is normal and depends on genetic factors as well as nutritional status. There is no need for alarm if one's growth pattern is slightly different from peers.
The most conspicuous change during puberty is the sudden increase in height. This happens because the long bones, specifically the bones of the arms and the legs, elongate rapidly. This makes a person tall. Initially, girls may grow faster than boys, but by about 18 years of age, both sexes usually reach their maximum potential height.
Doctors and scientists have developed a formula to estimate the full height of an individual based on their current height and age. The formula is: (Present height in cm / % of full height at this age) × 100. This provides a rough estimate of how tall a child will eventually become when they stop growing.
An individual's height is primarily determined by the genes inherited from their father and mother. This is why height often runs in families. If parents are tall, their children are likely to be tall as well. However, environmental factors like nutrition play a significant role in realizing this genetic potential.
While genes determine the potential for height, getting the right kind of food during growing years is crucial. Nutrients like proteins and calcium help the bones and muscles grow properly. Without adequate nourishment, the body might not be able to reach the height determined by its genes, leading to stunted growth.
In boys, the changes in body shape during puberty include the broadening of shoulders and the widening of the chest. This gives them a more masculine appearance. Additionally, muscles of the body grow more prominently in boys than in girls, leading to increased physical strength and muscular definition.
In girls, the changes in body shape are distinct from boys. The region below the waist, specifically the pelvic bone or hip area, becomes wider. This widening of the hips is a preparatory change for future childbearing. It gives the female body its characteristic shape during adulthood.
At puberty, the voice box or larynx begins to grow significantly in size. Boys develop much larger voice boxes than girls. This growth is often visible externally as a protruding part of the throat, which plays a major role in deepening the voice of adolescent boys.
The protruding part of the throat seen in adolescent boys is called the Adam's apple. It is essentially the enlarged voice box or larynx. This structure is named 'Adam's apple' because of its visual prominence in the neck region of males compared to females.
Due to the difference in the size of the vocal cords and larynx, boys and girls develop different voice pitches. Generally, girls have a high-pitched or shrill voice, whereas boys develop a deep, heavy voice. This distinction becomes very apparent during the teenage years.
In adolescent boys, the muscles of the growing voice box sometimes go out of control due to rapid growth. This causes the voice to become hoarse or "crack". This is a temporary state and usually resolves itself within a few days or weeks as the larynx adjusts to its new size.
During puberty, there is a marked increase in the activity of sweat glands. This leads to excessive sweating in many adolescents. This increased sweating serves to regulate body temperature but can also lead to body odour if proper personal hygiene is not maintained regularly.
Sebaceous glands, also known as oil glands, become very active during puberty. They secrete more oil (sebum) onto the skin. This excess oil can clog pores, leading to the formation of acne and pimples, which is a very common complaint among teenagers.
At puberty, male sex organs like the testes and penis develop completely. The testes also begin their primary function, which is to produce sperms. This marks the beginning of the reproductive capability in males, which continues throughout their life.
In girls, the ovaries enlarge significantly during puberty. They start releasing mature eggs (ova). Usually, one mature egg is released from one of the ovaries every 28 to 30 days. This cycle of egg production is central to the female reproductive system.
Adolescence is not just about physical changes; it is also a period of significant intellectual development. Adolescents tend to spend more time thinking and reasoning. In fact, this period is often when the brain has the greatest capacity for learning and absorbing new information.
Adolescents become more independent than before and are also more self-conscious. They start to form their own identity separate from their parents. This emotional transition can sometimes lead to feelings of insecurity or confusion, which is a normal part of growing up.
Secondary sexual characters are those physical features that help to distinguish the male from the female but are not directly involved in reproduction. Examples include facial hair in boys and breast development in girls. These characters appear during puberty under the influence of hormones.
In boys, secondary sexual characters include the growth of facial hair (moustaches and beard) and hair on the chest. They also develop hair under the arms and in the pubic region. These changes are stimulated by the male hormone testosterone.
In girls, secondary sexual characters include the development of breasts and the widening of the hips. Like boys, they also develop hair under the arms and in the pubic region. These changes are controlled by the female hormone estrogen.
Hormones are chemical substances secreted by endocrine glands. They act as chemical messengers in the body, traveling through the bloodstream to target organs where they bring about specific changes. They play a vital role in controlling growth, development, and reproduction.
Endocrine glands are also known as ductless glands because they release their secretions (hormones) directly into the bloodstream rather than through ducts. Examples include the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, adrenal glands, and pancreas.
Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone. It is secreted by the testes at the onset of puberty. It is responsible for stimulating sperm production and the development of all male secondary sexual characteristics like deep voice and facial hair.
Estrogen is the primary female sex hormone. It is produced by the ovaries once puberty is reached. Estrogen regulates the development of female secondary sexual characteristics, such as breast development, and plays a key role in the menstrual cycle.
The pituitary gland is a tiny gland located at the base of the brain. It is often called the "master gland" because it secretes hormones that control the activity of other endocrine glands, including the testes and ovaries. It also secretes Growth Hormone.
A target site or target organ is a specific part of the body that responds to a particular hormone. Hormones released into the blood stream travel throughout the body but only affect their specific target sites, ensuring precise regulation of body functions.
The reproductive phase of life differs between males and females. In females, it begins at puberty (10-12 years) and ends at menopause (45-50 years). In males, the capacity for sperm production generally lasts much longer, often throughout their entire adult life.
The menstrual cycle is the bio-feedback system in females that prepares the uterus for pregnancy. It occurs approximately every 28 to 30 days. It involves the maturation of an egg, thickening of the uterine lining, and subsequent shedding if fertilization does not occur.
Menarche is the technical term for the very first menstrual flow that a girl experiences. It usually occurs at the onset of puberty. It is a significant milestone marking the beginning of a female's reproductive capability.
Menopause marks the end of the reproductive phase in a woman's life. It typically occurs between 45 and 50 years of age. At menopause, the menstrual cycle stops permanently, and ovaries stop releasing eggs.
If the egg released by the ovary is not fertilized by a sperm, the thick lining of the uterus (endometrium) breaks down. This lining, along with blood vessels and the unfertilized egg, is shed from the body through the vagina, causing bleeding known as menstruation.
Chromosomes are thread-like structures found in the nucleus of every cell. They carry genes which transmit hereditary information from parents to offspring. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, totaling 46 chromosomes in each cell.
Out of the 23 pairs of chromosomes, one pair is called the sex chromosomes. They determine the biological sex of an individual. Females have two X chromosomes (XX), while males have one X and one Y chromosome (XY).
Gametes (sperms and eggs) differ from other body cells because they contain only one set of chromosomes (23 single chromosomes). An unfertilized egg always has one X chromosome. Sperms, however, can carry either an X chromosome or a Y chromosome.
The sex of an unborn baby is determined at the moment of fertilization by the sperm. If a sperm with an X chromosome fertilizes the egg, the baby will be a girl (XX). If a sperm with a Y chromosome fertilizes the egg, the baby will be a boy (XY).
In many societies, mothers are often blamed for giving birth to daughters. This is scientifically incorrect and unjust. The mother always contributes an X chromosome. It is the father's sperm (X or Y) that decides the sex of the child. Thus, the father is biologically responsible for sex determination.
The thyroid gland is located in the throat and secretes the hormone thyroxine. Thyroxine regulates the body's metabolism. A deficiency of thyroxine can lead to a condition called Goitre, which manifests as a swollen neck due to an enlarged thyroid gland.
The pancreas produces the hormone insulin, which regulates the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood. If the pancreas does not produce sufficient insulin, blood sugar levels rise, leading to a disease called diabetes.
Adrenal glands are located on top of the kidneys. They secrete adrenalin. This hormone helps the body adjust to stress, such as when one is very angry, embarrassed, or worried. It prepares the body for "fight or flight" responses.
Insects like silk moths pass through larval stages to become adults. This process is called metamorphosis. In insects, this process is strictly controlled by insect hormones. Without these hormones, the larva would never transform into an adult moth.
Frogs also undergo metamorphosis from tadpole to adult. This change is controlled by thyroxine produced by the thyroid gland. For the thyroid to produce thyroxine, iodine must be present in the water where the tadpoles live.
If the water in which tadpoles are growing is deficient in iodine, they cannot produce thyroxine. As a result, they will fail to undergo metamorphosis and will never become adult frogs. They will remain as tadpoles and eventually die.
A balanced diet is essential for adolescents because of their rapid growth. It should include proteins (for building body), carbohydrates and fats (for energy), and vitamins and minerals (for protection). Chips and junk food should be avoided as staples.
Iron is mineral that is essential for making blood (haemoglobin). Adolescents need iron-rich foods to support their growing blood volume. Good sources include leafy green vegetables, jaggery, meat, citrus fruits, and Indian gooseberry (amla).
Due to increased activity of sweat and sebaceous glands, adolescents are more prone to body odour and skin infections. Bathing daily and keeping all body parts clean is crucial to prevent bacterial infections and maintain social confidence.
Walking, running, and playing outdoor games are vital for keeping the body fit and healthy during adolescence. Exercise strengthens bones and muscles, improves circulation, and contributes to better mental health and stress management.
Adolescents should be aware of the dangers of drugs. Drugs are addictive substances that can ruin health and happiness. One should always say "NO" to drugs unless prescribed by a doctor, avoiding the trap of addiction and its long-term consequences.
Early marriage and pregnancy (before 18 years) pose serious health risks. Teenage mothers are often not physically or mentally prepared for motherhood. This can lead to complications during childbirth, health problems for both mother and child, and curtailed education and career opportunities.