Question 1

Describe the period of the zygote. When does it begin and end? What happens?

Accepted Answer

0-2 weeks. Begins when egg is fertilized in the fallopian tube; period of rapid cell division. Ends 2 weeks later when zygote implanted in wall of the uterus. Placenta formed between mother and developing organism to provide nutrients, remove waste.

Question 2

After about four days, the zygote comprises about 100 cells, resembles a hollow ball, and is called a _____.

Accepted Answer

Blastocyst.

Question 3

A small cluster of cells near the centre of the blastocyst, the _____, eventually develops into a baby.

Accepted Answer

Germ disc.

Question 4

Describe the period of the embryo. When does it begin and end? What happens?

Accepted Answer

3-8 weeks. Body structures and internal organs formed. Embryo rests in the amniotic sac filled with amniotic fluid. Umbilical cord joins embryo to placenta.

Question 5

During the period of the embryo, there are three layers. Define them.

Accepted Answer

Ectoderm: will become hair, outer layer of skin, and nervous system. Mesoderm: will form bones, muscles, circulatory system. Endoderm: will form digestive system and lungs.

Question 6

Describe the period of the fetus. When does it begin and end? What happens?

Accepted Answer

9 weeks until birth. Finishing touches on body systems. All regions of the brain grow, particularly the cerebral cortex.

Question 7

What happens in the third month of development? The sixth?

Accepted Answer

3 months: genital organs develop. 6 months: variations in heart rate; changes in heart rate due to physiological stress.

Question 8

During the fifth and sixth months after conception, eyebrows, eyelashes, and scalp hair emerge. The skin thickens and is covered with what?

Accepted Answer

Vernix, protects the fetus during long bath in amniotic fluid.

Question 9

What is the age of viability?

Accepted Answer

22-28 weeks. Most systems function well enough that fetus born at this time has a chance to survive.

Question 10

When is a baby considered premature?

Accepted Answer

Born less than 37 weeks old.

Question 11

Fetal movements begin around when?

Accepted Answer

4 months.

Question 12

What can the fetus hear? Related to that, what do newborns show and what happens rapidly after birth?

Accepted Answer

Mother’s heart beat, sounds and voices. Newborns show recognition of sensory experiences repeated throughout pregnancy. Similar learning occurs rapidly after birth

Question 13

Infants with obese mothers run what risks?

Accepted Answer

Hypertension, diabetes, infection chance.

Question 14

Folic acid is essential because it is related to what?

Accepted Answer

Neural tube development.

Question 15

Why is fish to be avoided by pregnant mothers?

Accepted Answer

Mercury, which impacts brain development and can lead to reduced cognitive abilities.

Question 16

Prolonged stress in pregnant mothers runs what risks? What can resulting unhealthy behaviours pose to the infant?

Accepted Answer

Decreased oxygen to fetus, weakens immune system. Smaller babies, difficulty with attention, behavioural dysregulation.

Question 17

What happens if a mother is too young or too old?

Accepted Answer

Infant mortality higher in teenage moms. 1 in 100 risk of Down's Syndrome after age 40.

Question 18

What happens to an infant if a father is aging?

Accepted Answer

1 in 100 risk of Down's after age 40. Every 10 years after age 40 increases risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder by two; increased risk of schizophrenia and DNA fragmentation.

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Ch. 3: Prenatal Development, Birth, and the Newborn Flashcards

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