Growth - Gidemy Class Notes

Growth is described as a permanent increase in size or mass
The growth process is slightly different in plants compared to animals
Both plants and animals grow via two key processes:
- Cell division – mitosis
- Cell differentiation – development of specialised features creating specialised cells
Plants also grow through a unique process called cell elongation
- This is where hormones, such as auxin, cause cells to grow longer in response to certain stimuli e.g. sunlight

Growth charts can be used to monitor the growth of an organism by comparing its growth to the usual trends for that particular organism
In humans, the growth of a baby is monitored using indicator measurements such as mass, length and head circumference
These measurements are then compared with historical data collected from other children of the same age
Any potential issues can then be highlighted and assessed if necessary. These issues might include:
- Malnutrition
- Obesity
- Inconsistencies across different measurements e.g. a large baby with a small head
- Sudden changes in trend (which may indicate expression of a new health problem)

The growth of an infant can be monitored using a growth chart that compares their mass, length or head circumference to historical data

To compare the growth of a child using a growth chart:
- Find the child’s age on the X-axis
- Find the child’s weight on the Y-axis
- Read across and up to the growth chart lines and find where they intersect (the correct percentile is the line closest to the intersection)
For example:
- If a baby is on the 25th percentile for mass, it means that they are lighter than 75% of children their age and heavier than 25% of children their age
Children can fluctuate around a growth trend, this is more obvious in younger children
Girls follow a different growth chart to boys
Specialised growth charts have been produced for children who suffer from specific health issues, such as Down syndrome