Chapters 1-7

Question 1

What are the five steps of the scientific method?

Answer 1

1. Curiosity/Question
2. Develop hypothesis
3. Test hypothesis
4. Analyze evidence
5. Report results

Question 2

Define empirical evidence

Answer 2

Evidence based on observation, experiment, or experience – not theory

Question 3

Defined nature as used in nature versus nurture

Answer 3

A general term for traits, capacities, and limitations that each individual inherits genetically from his or her parents at the moment of conception

Question 4

Define nurture as used in nature versus nurture

Answer 4

A general term for all the environmental influences that affect development after an individual is conceived

Question 5

What is differential sensitivity?

Answer 5

Certain people have genes that make it more likely that they may develop specific problems

Question 6

What is the difference between critical period and sensitive period?

Answer 6

Critical period is when something must occur to ensure normal development or the only time when an abnormality might occur. Sensitive period refers to when a particular development occurs more easily, but not exclusively, at a certain time.

Question 7

What are the three domains of human development and examples of each?

Answer 7

1. Biosocial - Brain, body, genetics, nutrition, physical development including the social influences that affect biology
2. Cognitive - mental processes, perception, language, creativity as well as the educational systems that affect thinking
3. Psycho-social - emotions, temperament, personality characteristics, and relationships with others, as well as cultural influences

Question 8

Define gene

Answer 8

Basic unit for the transmission of heredity instructions

Question 9

Define genome

Answer 9

Full set of genes that are instructions to make an individual member of a species (each human genome is 99.9% the same for any two persons)

Question 10

Define allele

Answer 10

A variation that makes a gene different

Question 11

Define gamete

Answer 11

Reproductive cell such as the sperm or ovum

Question 12

Define chromosome

Answer 12

Carriers of genes (genetic instructions)

Question 13

Define zygote

Answer 13

Sperm and ovum fused; begins as a single cell

Question 14

Define genotype

Answer 14

An organisms entire genetic inheritance, or genetic potential

Question 15

Define stem cells

Answer 15

Cells from which any other specialized type of cell can form

Question 16

How many chromosomes does each person have?

Answer 16

46 chromosomes (23 pairs)

Question 17

How is the sex of a fetus determined?

Answer 17

The 23rd pair of chromosomes determine the sex. Mother has two X chromosomes (XX) and father has an X and a Y (XY) so mother always contributes an X (girl) and father contributes either an X (girl) or Y (boy) which determines the sex.

Question 18

Define phenotype

Answer 18

The observable characteristics of a person, including a parent, personality, intelligence, and all other traits.

Question 19

Define multi factorial.

Answer 19

A trait that is affected by many factors, both genetic and environmental

Question 20

Define polygenic

Answer 20

When multiple genes impact a trait

Question 21

What is dominant versus recessive

Answer 21

When one allele, the dominant gene, is more influential than the other, the recessive gene. The dominant gene controls the characteristic even when a recessive gene is the other half of a pair.

Question 22

What does it mean to be a carrier when referring to dominant-recessive?

Answer 22

Every person has recessive genes that are not apparent in their phenotype. A person is said to be a carrier of that recessive gene because it is carried on the genotype.

Question 23

Cause of down syndrome and risk factors associated with it

Answer 23

Trisomy 21 - an extra chromosome in the 21st position

Risk factors include hearing problems, heart abnormalities, muscle weakness, short stature, and mental slowness

Question 24

Who is genetic counseling recommended for?

Answer 24

1. Individuals who have a parent, sibling, or child with a serious genetic condition
2. Couples who have had several miscarriages or stillbirths
3. Couples who are infertile
4. Copies of the same ethnic group, particularly if they are relatives
5. Women over age 35 and men over age 40

Question 25

What is a teratogen?

Answer 25

Substances and conditions that increase the risk of prenatal abnormalities, either physical or behavioral

Question 26

What three things determine the effects of a teratogen?

Answer 26

1. Timing of exposure (was it during a critical period?)
2. amount of exposure
3. Genetic vulnerability

Question 27

What is the age of viability?

Answer 27

The age (about 22 weeks after conception) at which a fetus might survive outside the mother’s uterus if specialized medical care is available

Question 28

What is the difference between preterm birth and small for gestational age?

Answer 28

Preterm birth is a birth that occurs three or more weeks before the full 38 weeks of the typical pregnancy. Small for gestational age is a term for a baby who is birthweight is significantly lower than expected, given the time since conception.

Question 29

What is cerebral palsy?

Answer 29

A disorder that results from damage to the brain motor centers

Question 30

What is anoxia?

Answer 30

A lack of oxygen that, if prolonged, can cause brain damage or death

Question 31

What is the difference between gross motor skills and fine motor skills?

Answer 31

Gross motor skills refer to large body movements (Rolling over, sitting up, standing, holding on, walking )and fine motor skills refer to small body movements (grasping, pincer grasp)

Question 32

What is sensorimotor intelligence?

Answer 32

Babies think by using their senses and motor skills (0-2 years)

Question 33

What is object permanence and when does it develop?

Answer 33

The knowledge that objects and people exist even when they can’t be seen, touched, or heard.
Usually develops around four months, clear-cut at eight months

Question 34

What does “little scientist” mean?

Answer 34

The fifth stage of sensory motor development where infants gather new information through active experimentation (12-18 months)

Question 35

What is deferred imitation?

Answer 35

I sequence in which an infant first perceives something done by someone else and then performs the same action hours or even days later.

Question 36

What does temperament mean?

Answer 36

Someone’s general behavioral style; it is the way we approach the world.

Question 37

What is goodness of fit?

Answer 37

How well two people’s temperament mesh; as adults it is our responsibility to work with children’s temperaments, and make accommodations, to support relationship building.

Question 38

What is attachment?

Answer 38

And enduring emotional connection between two people that produces a desire for continual contact as well as feelings of distress during separation.

Question 39

Define science of human development

Answer 39

The science that seeks to understand how and why people of all ages and circumstances change or remain the same over time.