3.2 Physical Development Across the Lifespan

Question 1

Teratogens

Answer 1

(“monster makers”) are substances such as viruses and chemicals that can damage the developing embryo or fetus. (diet coke, artificial sweetener, etc anything)

Question 2

Maternal Illness

Answer 2

any health condition in the mother that may cause pregnancy complications
(flu/covid, diabetes, high blood pressure)

Question 3

Genetic mutation

Answer 3

occur when DNA changes, which can affect how that part of the DNA works, can be passed down from parent
(Down syndrome, turner syndrome)

Question 4

Hormonal factors

Answer 4

Any hormonal balance that can effect the baby
(low/high thyroxine, insulin imbalance, high cortisol levels)

Question 5

Environmental factors

Answer 5

any factors (envirnmental) that can be passed down, cause complications, and effect baby
(Chemicals, drugs, alcohol)

Question 6

Physical development

Answer 6

Maturation takes place in the body and cerebellum enabling the sequence below.
Physical training generally cannot change the timing.
(sitting, crawling, walking, independently walking)

Question 7

Fine Motor Coordination

Answer 7

(small muscle movements)
(Grasping a rattle, Holding a spoon, Stacking blocks, Writing names)

Question 8

Gross motor coordination

Answer 8

(big muscle movements)
(Rolling over, Crawling, Walking, Jumping)

Question 9

Rooting reflect

Answer 9

when something touches a newborns cheek, the infant turns toward that side with open mouth ¨for eating¨

Question 10

Visual cliff

Answer 10

a test of depth perception, they are beginning to understand depth perception
(blanket over half the glass, they perceive the glass as a cliff- at crawling age 9 months)

Question 11

Critical period

Answer 11

time frame when children must be exposed to learn or develop certain abilities/skills - If the necessary stimuli are absent, the ability may not develop properly or at all.
(Vision–first few months, Language-birth to age 7, Hearing-prenatal-6 months)

Question 12

sensitive period

Answer 12

A sensitive period is a more flexible time frame in which development is most effective with appropriate environmental stimuli. While development is still possible outside this period, it may be less efficient or more challenging.
(Second language, Social skills)

Question 13

imprinting

Answer 13

Humans are more flexible than birds because humans do not have a critical period or rigid/imprinted attachments. However, humans still become emotionally attached to people and objects based on the mere exposure effect–feeling comfortable with what is familiar.
This may be one small part of explaining hoarding, or why it is hard to lose a relationship because of breakup or death even when the relationship was dysfunctional.

Question 14

Growth spurt

Answer 14

Height/weight
Hormones (growth and sex)

Question 15

Puberty

Answer 15

sexual maturation (reproduction)

Question 16

Primary sex characterizations

Answer 16

Physical structures develop for reproduction

Question 17

Secondary sex characterizations

Answer 17

Features not related to reproduction (Hair, voice, muscles, etc.)

Question 18

Menarche

Answer 18

First menstrual cycle; ovaries releasing eggs

Question 19

Spermarche

Answer 19

first ejaculation = sperm production

Question 20

Menopause

Answer 20

Around age 50, women enter menopause (the end of being able to get pregnant).

Question 21

Aging (physical/cognitive)

Answer 21

Muscular strength, cardiac output, reaction time, sensory sensitivity
Visual acuity, hearing, neural processing