- Stress is a natural response to challenges, but long-term stress negatively affects physical and mental health.
- Stress relief methods such as laughter therapy, sharing feelings, hobbies, music, singing, sports, yoga, and meditation help reduce stress effectively.
- Life skills like time management, planning, and positive thinking improve coping ability and emotional balance.
- Nature and social interaction through activities like gardening, outdoor games, and teamwork boost mood, confidence, and social health.
- In cases of severe stress, professional counselling, NGOs, helplines, and government support schemes provide necessary guidance and treatment.
Definitions [2]
Define the following term:
Hormones
Hormones are chemical messengers created by the endocrine glands and transported through the bloodstream to govern body functions such as development, metabolism, reproduction and mood by interacting with specific target cells.
Definition: Adolescence
Adolescence is the period between the beginning of sexual maturation and entry into adult life.
Key Points
Key Points: Chemical Coordination
- Chemical coordination is the process by which cells and organisms communicate using chemical signals.
- There are four types of chemical signaling: autocrine, paracrine, endocrine, and pheromones.
- Hormones are chemical messengers that regulate various body functions.
- Hormones are classified based on their chemical nature into amines, peptide/protein hormones, steroid hormones, fatty acid derivatives, and gases.
- Examples include epinephrine and thyroxine (amines), insulin and growth hormone (proteins), estrogen and testosterone (steroids), prostaglandins (fatty acids), and nitric oxide (gas).
Key Points: Human Endocrine Glands and Hormones
- Endocrine glands are ductless glands (they do not have ducts).
- Their secretions are called hormones.
- Hormones are chemical messengers that travel through the blood to target organs.
- They are non-nutrient substances produced in very small amounts.
- Hormones help in the coordination and regulation of body functions.
Key Points: Adolescence
- Adolescence is the stage between childhood and adulthood (ages 10–19), marked by fast physical and emotional changes.
- It has three stages: Early (10–14), Middle (15–17), and Late (18–19), each with different body and thinking developments.
- Puberty brings sexual and physical changes due to hormones—testosterone in boys and oestrogen in girls.
- Physical changes include growth in height, changes in body shape, changes in voice, and increased sweat/oil production.
- Emotional and social changes include mood swings, seeking independence, peer pressure, and identity formation.
Key Points: Stress Management
