THE FUNCTION OF GROWTH

The total life span of human growth and development comes from conception through old age. In a woman the greatest amount of growth occurs during the first several weeks of pregnancy. This period is known as embryogenesis. After two weeks the embryo is elongated. At the top is what will become the head and at the bottom is a tail that will nourish it. At four weeks the embryo has arm buds and is distinctly curved, it also has the beginning of eyes. At five weeks the nose takes shape and at six weeks the leg buds are apparent. At seven weeks the embryo has clearly defined hands and can move them. At week eight the organs begin to be visible and the eye lenses are formed. At ten weeks the embryo is considered a fetus and still has a tail. At thirteen weeks it develops an umbilical cord and is three inches long. By fourteen weeks it can bring its hands together. The umbilical cord is the source of nutrient and air supply.
Reproduction is the driving force of growth. Growth aims at extending the organism. The cells increase through cell division. Growth is a self-perfective immanent act. There is no limit on how big an object can grow. Human growth is related to sex, as a person grows so does the sex. The sex develops through puberty. Usually through the forties the increase in weight stops. As for height the human stops growing between the ages of eighteen and thirty. Growth is an imminent act which perfects the organism.