Science Form 3

Chapter 5
Growth
Unit 5 Growth
5.1 Human Growth Pattern
Growth
Pertumbuhan

Defination Human Growth Stages of Growth

Definasi Pattern Peringkat
Corak Pertumbuhan
Pertumbuhan
Increase in Manusia
the number of
cells Growth rate Growth curve
Pertambahan Kadar Lengkung
dalam Pertumbuhan Pertumbuhan
bilangan sel
Infancy
Increase in Peringkat bayi
size
Pertambahan
saiz Childhood
Peringkat kanak-
kanak
Change in
shape and
function Effects of nutrition Adolescence
Perubahan Kesan nutrisi Peringkat remaja
bentuk dan
fungsi
Adulthood
Peringkat dewasa

Old age
Peringkat tua
5.1 Human Growth Pattern
A. Growth
1. Growth is a life process that occurs in all types of life form.
2. Growth can be defined as
a. Increase in body size ,
b. Increase in number of cells ,
c. Increase in weight ,
d. Changes in body shape ,
e. Changes in function of an organism .
3. The growth of an unicellular organism involves:
a. Increase in size of a cell.
b. Increase in mass of a cell.
4. The growth of a multicellular organism involves:
a. Increase in the number of cells.
b. Increase in the size of the organism especially in:
i. Height .
ii. Weight .
c. Changes in appearance .
d. Changes in physical characteristics.
e. Develop the complexity and function of the organism.
5. The process of growth in an organism is
permanent and irreversible .
5.1 Human Growth Pattern
B. The Characteristics of Human Growth.
1. The human growth pattern is a sigmoid curve.
2. It is divided into five stages of growth:
a. Infancy .
b. Childhood .
c. Adolescence .
d. Adulthood .
e. Old age .
5.1 Human Growth Pattern
1. The human growth curve is obtained by plotting
the height or weight against time .
2. Figure 5.1 is a weight against time graph showing the human growth
curve.
3. The rate of growth is the difference in weight at suitable intervals
over a period of time.
4. Therefore, the gradient of the curve indicates the rate of growth at
that particular period.

Height and weight are common

characteristics used to measure
growth rate.
5.1 Human Growth Pattern

adolescence adulthood

childhood old age

infancy
5.1 Human Growth Pattern
Weight (kg)
adolescence adulthood old age

minimal growth
childhood negative
growth
very rapid growth

infancy
slow growth

rapid growth
birth
age (year)
0 4 12 18 65
Figure 5.1
5.1 Human Growth Pattern
7. The rate of growth in human is the fastest , during:
a. the development of foetus in the uterus .
b. the first six months after birth .
8. An infant grows very quickly in the first three years of infancy.
9. Childhood is a period of slow growth .

10. The adolescence is a period of very quick growth .

a. Sexual maturity or puberty is achieved during adolescence.
b. The teen years are adolescent period.
11. Adulthood covers the early 20s until about 65. It is a period
of minimal growth .
12. Old age is the period of negative growth .
a. Negative growth means loss in weight .
b. Tissues in the body break downs more quickly
than they can be repaired .
 Stages Growth pattern
Infancy •0 to 3 years
(early stage) •Rapid growth until three years of age
•Weight doubles after six months
•Weight triples after one year
Childhood •3 to 12 year of age
•Slow growth until adolescent stage
Adolescence •12 to 20 years of age
•Teen years
•Growth rate increase
•Sexual maturity or puberty achieved
during this stage
Adulthood •Starts from about 20 years of age
•Growth rate slows down
•Maximum growth achieved and growth
stops
Old age •Growth rate becomes negative
•Height and weight decrease slightly
•Death at old age
Table 5.1 Summary of human growth pattern
5.1 Human Growth Pattern
C. Comparing the Growth Rates of Boys and Girls
1. The rate of growth in humans differ according to
gender .
2. Figure 5.2 shows the comparison between the growth curves of boys
and of girls based on their height and weight.
3. Table 5.2 shows the comparison between the growth rates of boys
and girls at different stages.
 height (cm)
Boys
170
Girls
150

130

infancy
adulthood
70
adolescence

50
childhood

age (years)
0 4 12 18 20
Figure 5.2 (a) Growth curves of boys and girls based on height
 weight (kg)
Boys
64
Girls

52

adulthood
32
infancy
adolescence

12
childhood
4
age (years)
0 4 10 12 18

Figure 5.2 (b) Growth curves of boys and girls based on weight
 Stages Comparison
Infancy • Growth rates for baby boys and girls are generally the same.
(early stage)
Childhood • From four years old a boys growth rates is faster than a girl, especially in
terms of weight.
Adolescence • Girls reach puberty at the age of 12, one or two years earlier than boys.
• Girls are usually taller and grow faster during early adolescence.

Adulthood • Growth rate for girls slows down at about the age of 17 and stops altogether
at the age of 21.
• Growth rate for boys slows down at about the age of 18 and stops altogether
at the age of 24.
• After the respective points, there is no further increase in height in both boys
and girls.
• A person’s weight may increase or decrease according to his lifestyle, genes,
metabolic rate and health condition.
Old age • Female will become shorter if osteoporosis sets in.
• Both males and females may lose weight and decrease slightly in height.
• The efficiency of nervous system, metabolic rate and sensory organs will
deteriorate.
Table 5.2 Comparison between the growth rates of boys and girls at
different stages.
5.1 Human Growth Pattern
D. Effects of Nutrition on Human Growth
1. The growth of an individual depends on:
a. Genetic factors .
b. Health .
c. Eating habits .
d. Daily activities .
2. A balanced diet is important to ensure healthy physical
growth and mental development of an individual at all
stages of growth.
3. All the different classes of food are required in the
appropriate quantities and proportions .
a. Carbohydrates are the source of energy .
b. Proteins are body-building foods crucial for _______
growth
and repair damaged tissues.
c. Vitamins are important to ensure good health .
d. Minerals are required for strong bones and _____.
teeth
4. An excessive intake of carbohydrates and fat will lead
to obesity .
5. Keeping a healthy lifestyle with balanced diet will
maintain healthy growth in all stages.
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT (add)
There are clear stages that children pass through from birth to
adult. These stages are the same for boys and girls, but girls
generally mature before boys. This is clearly shown in the
diagram below.
Both sexes are of a comparable shape and size during
infancy and childhood. (add)

There are four characteristic stages of growth from birth to adult:

● Rapid growth in infancy and early childhood
● Slow, steady growth in middle childhood
● Rapid growth during puberty
● Gradual slowing down of growth in adolescence until adult height is reached
Patterns of Growth - Changes in Proportions (add)

The physical proportions of the body at birth are very

different from those of the adult.

Some body parts grow more than others during development

to reach the final adult proportions.
Changes in the size and shape of the body are caused by
different segments growing at different times.

Baby adulthood

Growth of the skull

Nutrition (add)

A growing child who does not have

sufficient protein may develop a
dieses called kwashiorkor.

Those suffering from kwashiorkor

would be physically weak and show
growth retardation.
ASSESSMENT 5
Paper 1
1 Growth results in
A. death
B. maturity and aging
C. a decrease in cell mass
D. a decrease in cell size

2 Which of the following statements about growth is true?

A. Growth is an irreversible process
B. Humans grow only once
C. Humans grow in stages
D. Growth involves a change of sex

3 Human growth can be measured in terms of

A. height and weight
B. mass and quantity of blood
C. quantity of blood and the number of blood cells
D. finger length
4 What is the main factor that influences growth pattern in humans?
A. Gender
B. Climate
C. Environment
D. State of health

5 Which of the following graphs shows human growth?

A C

B D
6 S – Old age
T – Infancy
U – Adulthood
V – Adolescence
The above information is about the stages of human growth. Which of the following
explains growth in the right sequence?
A. V → T → S → U
B. T → V → U → S
C. S → V → U → T
D. U → T → S → V
7 Figure 5.1 shows the pattern of human growth. Which part A, B, C or D shows the highest
rate of growth?

Figure 5.1
8 Puberty is the time when boys and girls start to change into
A. Infants
B. Toddlers
C. Old people
D. Adults
 Figure 5.2
9. Figure 5.2 shows the growth rate in both boys and girls. What conclusion can you
make from the graph?
A. Both sexes have the same growth period.
B. A boy has a longer growth period than a girl.
C. A girl has a longer growth period than a boy.
D. Individuals have different growth rates

10. A human being experiences negative growth when he reaches

A. Puberty
B. Childhood
C. Adolescence
D. Old age
 Age (years) 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22
Weight in Girl 12 16 18 30 32 39 50 52 53 53 53
(kg) Boy 12 16 22 28 34 38 49 58 64 65 65
Table 5.1
11. Table 5.1 shows the average body weight of boys and girls of the same age. What
conclusion can you make from Table 5.1?
A. The growth rate in a girl is always slower than the growth rate in a boy.
B. A boy grows the fastest between the ages of 12 and 16.
C. The period of growth in a boy is shorter than the period of growth in a girl.
D. A girl reaches maturity faster than a boy.

Age (years) 12 13 14 15 16 17
Weight (kg) 39 50 58 67 73 75
Table 5.2
12. Table 5.2 shows Susan's weight according to her age. Which of the following statements is
true about Susan's eating habits?
A. She eats too much carbohydrates.
B. She eats too much protein.
C. She drinks too much water.
D. She does not exercise enough
 Figure 5.3

13. Figure 5.3 shows the differences in the growth rates

of males and females. What can you infer from the
growth pattern?
A. Males are usually taller than females.
B. Males mature faster than females.
C. Males usually die before females.
D. Males always appear younger than females
14. James is 8 years old. His daily diet consists of potato chips and instant noodles only. What
does his diet lack?
A. Proteins
B. Fibre
C. Carbohydrates
D. Oils and fats

15. Which of the following aspects are involved in human growth?

I. Physical maturity
II. Mental maturity
III. Spiritual maturity
A. I and II only
B. I and III only
C. II and III only
D. I, II and III

Alice and Ivy are identical twins. They were

separated at birth and brought up by different families.
They both display different rates of growth.
16. Based on the above information, which of the following factors caused this difference in
growth?
I. Genetics
II. Food consumption
III. Environment
A. I and II only
B. I and III only
C. II and III only
D. I, II and III
17. Which of the following statements is/are true about human growth?
I. A girl reaches puberty earlier than boys.
II. A boy stops growing at about 24 years of age.
III. A girl has a shorter lifespan than a boy

A. I and II only
B. I and III only
C. II and III only
D. I, II and III

Important for the growth and

development of strong bones and
teeth.

18. The above information describes the function of Q in human growth. Which of the following
are Q?
I. Calcium
II. Vitamin D
III. Iron

A. I and II only
B. I and III only
C. II and III only
D. I, II and III
ASSESSMENT 5
Paper 2

Figure 5.4

1. The graph in Figure 5.4 compares the growth in terms of mass of a boy and a girl.
a) Define growth.
Growth is the increase in size and mass during the development of an
organism over a period of time.
(2 marks)
b) The graph has divided the growth rate into four stages. Which stage shows
the most rapid growth rate?
Adolescence
(1 mark)
ASSESSMENT 5
Paper 2
c) At what ages is the growth rate of a girl faster than a boy?
From 12 to 14 years
(1 mark)
d) What is the cause of this difference in growth rate in (c)?
Girls reach puberty faster than boys
(1 mark)
e) At what stage does the boy grow faster than the girl?
From 14 years onward
(1 mark)
f) During the later part of adolescence, the boy grows faster than the girl. Why?
The growth period of boys is longer than girls
(1 mark)
g) Which two classes of food are needed during childhood and adolescence to
achieve maximum growth?
Carbohydrates and protein
(2 marks)
THE END