Physical hygiene plays a very important role in maintaining one's own health during adolescence. Following are some important practices for maintaining physical hygiene:

1. Proper and safe food:
   1. To support rapid growth and development during adolescence, an adolescent should take a balanced diet including proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, and vitamins. Milk, fruits and fresh vegetables should be part of the regular diet.
   2. Avoid stale food and excessive fast food.
   3. Perishable food items should be properly stored in refrigerator.
2. Proper lifestyle:
   1. Avoid long hours of continuous table work.
   2. Avoid watching television and playing computer games for long hours.
   3. Avoid smoking and consumption of alcohol and drugs.
3. Cleanliness:
   1. Washing hands with soap before and after meals, brushing teeth, taking regular bath, regular toilet habits should be followed.
   2. Clothes, especially undergarments should be changed daily. Wearing very tight clothes should be avoided.
   3. Eyes should be washed daily with clean and cold water. Rubbing of eyes with hands should be avoided to prevent entry of germs.
   4. Lack of cleanliness may lead to bacterial infection. Girls should take special care of cleanliness during the time of their menstrual cycle.
4. Physical Exercise:
   1. All young boys and girls should walk, exercise and play outdoor games regularly.
   2. Physical activity is important to combat the stress and strain of adolescence.

BRIGHT TUTORIALS

ICSE Class VIII | Academic Year 2026-2027

9403781999

Excellence in Education

Reaching the Age of Adolescence – Interactive Study Guide

Quick Overview

Adolescence (11–19 years) is a period of significant physical, emotional, and hormonal changes. Puberty marks its beginning, when the body becomes capable of reproduction.

Changes During Puberty

Change	In Boys	In Girls
Body shape	Broad shoulders, muscular	Wider hips, rounded body
Voice	Deeper (Adam's apple)	Higher-pitched
Hair growth	Facial hair, body hair	Underarm, leg hair
Reproductive	Sperm production begins	Menstruation begins

Hormones at a Glance

Key Hormones

• Testosterone (from testes) → Male secondary characters
• Oestrogen (from ovaries) → Female secondary characters
• Pituitary gland → Triggers testes/ovaries (master gland)

Menstrual Cycle Summary

28-Day Cycle

Ovary releases egg → Uterus lining thickens → If NOT fertilised → Lining breaks down → Menstruation (3–5 days) → Cycle repeats

Menarche: First period (10–12 yrs). Menopause: Periods stop (~45–50 yrs).

Self-Test Questions

Test Yourself

1. Define puberty and adolescence.
2. List 4 secondary sexual characters in boys.
3. What is the role of oestrogen during puberty?
4. Why is a balanced diet important during adolescence?
5. How is the sex of a child determined?

BRIGHT TUTORIALS

ICSE Class VIII | Academic Year 2026-2027

9403781999

Excellence in Education

Endocrine System – Interactive Study Guide

Quick Overview

The endocrine system consists of ductless glands that secrete hormones into the blood. Hormones are chemical messengers that regulate growth, metabolism, reproduction, and response to stress.

Endocrine vs Exocrine at a Glance

Feature	Endocrine	Exocrine
Ducts	Ductless	Have ducts
Secretion	Hormones (into blood)	Enzymes, sweat (through ducts)
Examples	Pituitary, thyroid, adrenal	Salivary, sweat, liver

Master Table: Glands, Hormones, Functions

Gland	Hormone	Function	Disorder
Pituitary	GH	Growth	Dwarfism / Gigantism
Thyroid	Thyroxine	Metabolism (needs iodine)	Goitre / Cretinism
Parathyroid	Parathormone	Calcium regulation	Tetany
Adrenal	Adrenaline	Fight-or-flight	Addison's disease
Pancreas	Insulin / Glucagon	Blood sugar regulation	Diabetes mellitus
Testes	Testosterone	Male characters	—
Ovaries	Oestrogen	Female characters	—

Feedback Mechanism

How It Works

High hormone level → Gland reduces production. Low hormone level → Gland increases production.

Example: High blood sugar → Insulin released → Sugar absorbed by cells → Sugar drops → Insulin production stops.

Self-Test Questions

Test Yourself

1. Why is the pituitary gland called the master gland?
2. What is goitre? How can it be prevented?
3. Differentiate between insulin and glucagon.
4. What happens during a fight-or-flight response?
5. Explain the feedback mechanism with the example of blood sugar.