Chapter 4 Vocab

Question 1

Differentiation

Answer 1

The process wherein cells become specialized, forming specific tissues and organs

Question 2

Hyperplasia

Answer 2

An increase in the absolute number of cells

Question 3

Hypertrophy

Answer 3

An increase in the relative size of an individual cell

Question 4

Cephalocaudal

Answer 4

The direction of growth beginning at the head and extending toward the lower body

Question 5

Poximodistal

Answer 5

The direction of growth proceeding from the body toward the extremities

Question 6

Plasticity

Answer 6

Is modifiability or malleability; in regard to growth, it is the ability of tissues to subsume functions otherwise carried out by other tissue

Question 7

Congenital Defects

Answer 7

Anomalies present at birth, regardless of whether causes are genetic or extrinsic

Question 8

Teratogen

Answer 8

Any drug or chemical agent that causes abnormal development in a fetus upon exposure

Question 9

Age at takeoff

Answer 9

the age at which the rate of growth begins to increase

Question 10

Physiological maturation

Answer 10

The developmental process leading to a state of full function

Question 11

Secondary sex characteristics

Answer 11

aspects of form or structure appropriate to males or females, often used to assess physiological maturity in adolescents

Question 12

Catch-up Growth

Answer 12

Relatively rapid physical growth of the body to recover some or all potential growth lost during a period of negative extrinsic influence. It occurs once the negative influence is removed