NCERT Class 10 Health and Physical Education Health and Physical Education: Chapter 3 — Growth and Development during
This chapter from NCERT Class 10 Health and Physical Education focuses on 'Growth and Development during Adolescence'. It defines adolescence as the period of transition from childhood to adulthood, characterized by joy and challenges. The chapter outlines the seven functional stages of human life, detailing the duration and characteristics of each, from prenatal to old age, emphasizing adolescence (10-19 years) as a crucial phase. It explains that adolescence begins with puberty, triggered by sex hormones like testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. Key unique features of adolescence include a spurt in physical growth, leading to noticeable changes in body size, shape, and appearance due to rapid skeletal, muscular, and glandular development. This chapter helps students understand the significant physical and psychological transformations occurring during this vital stage of life.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 10 |
| Subject | Health and Physical Education |
| Book | Health and Physical Education |
| Chapter | Chapter 3 — Growth and Development during |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 3 minutes |
| Word count | 447 |
Learning outcomes
- Define adolescence and its significance in the human life cycle.
- Identify and describe the seven functional stages of human development.
- Explain the onset of puberty and the role of hormones during adolescence.
- Recognize the unique features of adolescent growth, including the growth spurt.
- Understand the physical and psychological changes associated with adolescence.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Adolescence | The period of growth and development from childhood to adulthood, typically from 10 to 19 years of age. |
| Puberty | The stage during which a person becomes capable of reproduction, marked by the activation of sex hormones. |
| Hormones | Chemical substances produced in the body that regulate various bodily functions, including growth and development. |
| Testosterone | The primary male sex hormone responsible for the development of male secondary sexual characteristics. |
| Estrogen | The primary female sex hormone responsible for the development of female secondary sexual characteristics. |
| Progesterone | A female sex hormone involved in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. |
| Growth spurt | A rapid acceleration in growth during adolescence, altering body size and shape. |
| Skeletal tissue | The tissue that forms bones and cartilage. |
| Muscular tissue | The tissue that forms muscles. |
| Glandular tissue | Tissue that forms glands, which produce and secrete substances like hormones. |
The complete chapter text is read in the official NCERT PDF viewer below (streamed from ncert.nic.in). This page provides NCERT Help study material — summary, vocabulary, practice questions, and FAQs — not a full reproduction of the textbook.
Read chapter online
This PDF is loaded from the official NCERT website (ncert.nic.in). Use the page buttons below to read — download is disabled on NCERT Help.
Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.
Practice questions
- What is adolescence defined as? Answer: Adolescence is defined as the period of growth and development from childhood to adulthood, full of joy and challenges.
- Name the seven functional stages of human development mentioned in the chapter. Answer: The seven stages are Prenatal, Neonatal, Infancy, Childhood, Adolescence, Adulthood, and Old age.
- At what age does adolescence generally begin and end? Answer: Adolescence generally begins around 10 years of age (merging from puberty) and lasts till 19 years of age.
- What are the two unique features of adolescence mentioned? Answer: The two unique features are the spurt in physical growth and it being the time period between the onset of puberty and adulthood.
- Which hormones are activated during puberty? Answer: Sex hormones like testosterone (in males) and estrogen and progesterone (in females) are activated during puberty.
Frequently asked questions
What is the age range for adolescence?
Adolescence typically spans from around 10 years of age to 19 years of age.
What triggers the beginning of adolescence?
Adolescence begins with the onset of puberty, during which sex hormones are activated.
What are the main hormones involved in puberty?
The main hormones are testosterone in males, and estrogen and progesterone in females.
What is a 'growth spurt'?
A growth spurt is a period of rapid acceleration in growth during adolescence, leading to significant changes in body size and shape.
Besides physical changes, what else characterizes adolescence?
Adolescence is also characterized by significant mental, emotional, and social changes, and it represents the transition period between puberty and adulthood.
Why is adolescence considered a crucial period?
It is crucial because of the rapid physical, mental, emotional, and social changes that shape an individual's transition into adulthood.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 10 Health and Physical Education — Health and Physical Education — Chapter 3 — Growth and Development during. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.