Definition of Growth and Development
Growth is the irreversible increase of an organism’s size over a given period. Growth is also defined as the permanent increase in size of an organism due to increase in number of cells. Growth is brought about by cell division. Growth is one of the hallmarks of a living thing. An organism’s growth may go on throughout its life, or end when that species is fully mature.
Development is the qualitative changes in structure and functions. It is a series of orderly changes by which a living thing comes into maturity. It is a series of changes that occur during growth. It is a gradual process leading to maturation of organs and behaviour of individual like social, emotional as well as skill acquisition. Heredity, environment, and nutrition determine a child’s development from birth.
The Process of Growth
You are viewing an excerpt of this lesson. Subscribing to the subject will give you access to the following:
- The complete lesson note and evaluation questions for this topic
- The complete lessons for the subject and class (First Term, Second Term & Third Term)
- Media-rich, interactive and gamified content
- End-of-lesson objective questions with detailed explanations to force mastery of content
- Simulated termly preparatory exams
- Discussion boards on all lessons and subjects
- Guaranteed learning
- Win great prizes for topping the Primacy Ebooks