Chapter 5 Flashcards
Celiac disease
an inherited digestive problem in which gluten triggers an immune response that leads to inflammation and damages in the small intestine
catch-up growth
after a period of malnutrition or illness reflects the body’s struggle to get back on the growth course it is genetically programmed to follow
endocrine system
secretes hormones directly into the bloodstream
pituitary gland
so-called master gland located at the base of the brain that makes up a critical part of the endocrine system
androgen
male hormones that stimulate the production of growth hormone that triggers adolescent growth spurt
estrogen
stimulates the production of growth hormone in females during adolescence
progesterone
“pregnancy hormone”; is responsible for body changes during pregnancy
adrenal glands
supportive role in development of muscle and bones as well as contribute to sexual motivation
myelination
neurons becoming encased in myelin sheath (fatty substance) that speeds transition; has numerous implications for developmental changes observed across a life span
cephalocaudal principle
growth occurs in a head to tail direction
proximodistal principle
body develops from the center outwards
orthogenetic principle
development starts globally and undifferentiated and moves toward increasing differentiation and hierarchical integration - ex: body starts from a single cell to different unique cells
synaptogenesis
growth of synapses, or connections between neurons during childhood
synaptic pruning
removal of unnecessary synapses
plasticity
brain’s ability to respond to an individual’s experiences so that it develops in a variety of ways
REM sleep
active sleep in which rapid eye movements occur; infants spend half of their sleeping hours in this mode
Congenital malformations
defects that are present at birth, wither from genetic factors or prenatal events; they are the leading cause of death during the first year
ex: heart defects, spina bifida, down syndrome etc.
lateralization
asymmetry and specialization of functions of the two hemispheres of the cerebral cortex; evidence seen at birth
body mass index (BMI)
a marker of body fat calculated from a person’s height and weight
puberty
the process of biological change that result in an individual’s attaining sexual maturity and becoming capable of producing a child
adolescent growth spurt
triggered by an increase of hormones circulating through the body during adolescence
dendrites
part of the neuron that receives information
axon
part of the neuron that sends out information
adrenarche
circulation of adrenal hormones that contributes to secondary sex characteristics such as pubic and axillary hair
menarche
marker of sexual maturation in girls; the first menstruation
life span developmental model of health
- lifelong process
- determined by both genetic and environmental influences
- multidimensional
- Includes physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity
- Changes involve both gains and losses
- occurs in a sociohistorical context
Socioeconomic status is particularly important
semenarche
marker of sexual maturation in boys; first ejaculation
secular trend
historical trend in industrialized societies toward earlier maturation and greater body size; deals with nutrition and availability of medical care
Autostimulation theory
self-stimulating, helps CNS development (REM sleep)
obesity
being 20% or more above the “ideal” weight for height, age, and sex
diabetes
high levels of sugar in the blood leading to various health problems
neurogenesis
the process of generating new neurons across a life span
premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PDD)
differs from PMS in that it includes affective symptoms in addition to physical symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle - can disrupt every day activities
Gonadal hormones
androgen, estrogen and progesterone
- produced in testes and ovaries; responsible for secondary effects of puberty
