Audio-Visual Resources

Skeletal system    Attained 75-80% of height    50% of their adult weight    Rapid growth: feet and hands first followed by long bones of arms and legs    Lengthening and broadening of body frame Back to Biophysical Development. Muscular system    Maximal growth of muscle mass correlates with maximal growth of skeletal system    Peak period of growth in:     females is 1 year before menarche     males is about 6 months before puberty Back to Biophysical Development. Central Nervous system    Growth essentially complete by the end of 10th year of life    Brain tissue appears to reach maturity with puberty    Gradual increases in fine-motor and intellectual capacity noted Back to Biophysical Development. Cardio-vascular system    The heart experiences a growth spurt    Pumps blood with increased strength elevating blood pressure    Increase heart size makes heart beat slower: adult rhythm at age 16 Back to Biophysical Development. Respiratory system    Increased in vital capacity (greatest volume of air that can be exhaled from the lungs following the maximal intake of air) correlates with the structural frame:the greater the height, the larger is the vital capacity, the slower is the breathing rate. Back to Biophysical Development. Gastro-intestinal system    The stomach becomes both longer and wider    Increase in gastric acidity for increased digestion of increased intake Back to Biophysical Development. Genitourinary system    Functionally mature: kidneys double in size between ages 5 to 10 to keep up with metabolic wastes of the body Back to Biophysical Development. Immunological system    Functionally mature during early school years --- peak in size of defense tissues (lymphoid) at 6 to 7 years of age Back to Biophysical Development.