Book 2, Question 99 · Video
Why Do We Stop Getting Taller?
You grow a lot as a kid, but after the teen years, most people stop growing taller. That is because the growth zones in your bones close up. The bone length factories shut!
Read the full answer →What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hey there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do we stop getting taller?
The Big Idea
You grow a lot as a kid, but after the teen years, most people stop growing taller. That is because the growth zones in your bones close up. The bone length factories shut! Growth plates are made of soft cartilage, which slowly turns into bone.
Kid Years: Plates Open
Step one: in the kid years, the growth plates are open. Near the ends of your long bones are soft zones called growth plates. They are like factories that keep making bones longer. Doctors can see growth plates on an X-ray.
You Get Taller
Step two: you get taller. While the plates are open, new bone is added, and your bones lengthen. That is why you can shoot up during growth spurts. After the plates close, bones can still heal and get stronger, but they do not get longer.
Plates Finish Their Job
Step three: the plates finish their job, and your height stays about the same. After the teen years, the growth plates harden into solid bone. Then your bones cannot get longer, and you have reached your adult height.
A Closer Look
Let's take a closer look at a growing bone! The growth plate is a soft zone near the end of the bone. While it is open, the bone keeps getting longer. And when it closes, your height is set.
Quick Facts
Quick facts! You can still get stronger after you stop getting taller. Most people stop growing taller between about ages 14 and 18. Girls often stop a bit earlier than boys. Exercise and good food keep muscles and bones healthy at any age.
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! Ask a grown-up when they stopped growing. Choose a grown-up you trust. Ask when they stopped getting taller. Write down the age. Compare it with what you learned today.
Outro
Your height is just one part of your amazing body. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!