03. Prenatal, Infancy and Childhood Development Flashcards
Prenatal stage =
Conception until birth
Infancy stage (ages) =
Birth/0 to 2 years
Childhood stage (ages) =
2 to 10 years
Adolescence stage (ages) =
10 to 20 years
Early Adulthood (ages) =
20 to 40 years
Middle Age Adulthood (ages) =
40 to 65 years
Old Age Adulthood (ages) =
65+ years
What are the three stages of prenatal development, in order?
Germinal, embryonic, foetal
How long is the germinal stage?
Approx. 2 weeks - from point of conception to week 2
How long is the embryonic stage?
Approx. 6 weeks - from week 3 to week 8
How long is the foetal stage?
Approx. 32 weeks - from week 9 to birth (approx. week 40)
What key processes occur during the germinal stage of the lifespan?
Fertilisation and Implantation
What is fertlisation?
When sperm penetrates an ovum and the genetic material fuse to become a single cell called a zygote
What is implantation?
When the cells begin to divide as the fertilised ovum travels through the fallopian tube and implants into the lining of the uterus for nourishment
What is a zygote?
A single cell that forms when the sperm penetrates the ovum and the genetic material fuse.
Examples of development during the embryonic stage
- All organs (not reproductive) and major body structures and systems develop
- Basic features emerge e.g. eyes, nose, mouth, arms, legs.
- By week 8 the heartbeat is detectable
Examples of development during the foetal stage
- Increase in size
- primary sex organs are formed
- organs start to function e.g. digestive system
- bones begin to ossify
- brain develops and can perform basic functions to sustain life e.g. ready to breathe on own once born
Infancy and childhood physical development examples
- Rapid growth in height and weight
- bones ossify and lengthen
- teeth erupt