Chpt 2 (From Conception to Birth)

Question 1

Gamete

Answer 1

A reproductive cell. In humans it is a sperm or an ovum.

Question 1

Zygote

Answer 1

The single cell formed from the union of two gametes, a sperm and an ovum.

Question 2

Genome

Answer 2

The full set of genes that are the instructions to make an individual member of a certain species.

Question 3

Allele

Answer 3

A variation that makes a gene different in some way from other genes for the same characteristics. Many genes never vary; others have several possible alleles.

Question 4

Epigenetics

Answer 4

The study of how environmental factors affect genes and their genetic expression- enhancing, halting, shaping, or altering the expression of genes.

Question 5

Genotype

Answer 5

An organism’s entire genetic inheritance, or genetic potential.

Question 6

Microbiome

Answer 6

All microbes (bacteria, viruses, and so on) with all their genes in a community; here the millions of microbes of the human body.

Question 6

Phenotype

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Carrier

Answer 7

A person whose genotype includes a gene that is not expressed in the phenotype. The carried gene occurs in half of the carrier’s gametes and this is passed on to half of the carrier’s children. If such a gene is inherited from both parents, the characteristics appears in the phenotype.

Question 8

X-Linked

Answer 8

A gene carried on the X chromosome. If a male inherits an X-linked recessive trait from his mother, he expresses that trait because the Y from his father has no counteracting gene. Females are more likely to be carries of X-linked traits but are less likely to express them.

Question 9

Monozygotic (MZ) twins

Answer 9

(Identical) Twins who originate from one zygote that splits apart very early in development.

Question 10

Dizygotic (DZ) twins

Answer 10

(Fraternal) Twins who are formed when two separate ova are fertilized by two separate sperm at roughly the same time.

Question 11

Germinal Period

Answer 11

0-14 days of prenatal development after conception, characterized by rapid cell division and the beginning of cell differentiation. 65% of zygotes don’t grow/implant properly.

Question 12

Embryonic Period

Answer 12

3-8 weeks after conception during which the basic forms of all body structures, including internal organs, develop. 20% of embryos are miscarried.

Question 13

Fetal Period

Answer 13

8/9 weeks until birth.
This stage of prenatal development from 9th week after conception until birth, during which the fetus gains about 7lbs (3,000+) and organs become more mature, gradually able to function on their own.

Question 14

Age of Viability

Answer 14

22 weeks after conception at which a fetus might survive outside the mother’s uterus if specialized medical care is available.

Question 15

Teratogen

Answer 15

An agent or condition, including viruses, drugs, and chemicals, that can impair prenatal development and result in birth defects or even death.

Question 16

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

Answer 16

A cluster of birth defects, including abnormal facial characteristics, slow physical growth, and reduced intellectual ability, that may occur in the fetus of a woman who drinks alcohol while pregnant.

Question 17

Low Birthweight (LBW)

Answer 17

A body weight at birth of less than 2,500 grams (5 1/2lbs)

Question 18

Very Low Birthweight (VLBW)

Answer 18

A body weight at birth of less than 1,500 grams (3lbs 5oz)

Question 19

Extremely Low Birthweight (ELBW)

Answer 19

A body weight at birth of less than 1,000 grams (2lbs 3oz)

Question 20

Preterm

Answer 20

A birth that occurs two+ weeks before the full 38 weeks of the typical pregnancy- that is, at 36 or fewer weeks after conception.

Question 21

Small for Gestational Age (SGA)

Answer 21

A term for a baby whose birthweight is significantly lower than expected, given the time since conception.

Question 22

Immigrant Paradox

Answer 22

The surprising, paradoxical fact that low-SES immigrant women tend to have fewer birth complications than native-born peers with higher incomes.

Question 23

Doula

Answer 23

A woman who helps with the birth process. Doulas are likely to arrive at the woman’s home during early labor and later work alongside a hospital’s staff.

Question 24

Cesarean Section (C-Section)

Answer 24

A surgical birth in which incisions through the mother’s abdomen and uterus allow the fetus to be removed quickly instead of being delivered through the vagina

Question 25

Apgar Scale

Answer 25

A quick assessment of a newborn’s health, from 0 to 10. Below 5 is an emergency- a neonatal pediatrician is summoned immediately. Most babies are at 7,8, or 9- almost never a perfect 10.

Question 26

Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS)

Answer 26

A test that is often administered to newborns, which measures responsiveness and records 46 behaviors, including 20 reflexes.

Question 27

Kangaroo Care

Answer 27

A form of newborn care in which mothers (and sometimes fathers) rest their babies on their naked chests, like kangaroo mothers that carry their immature newborns in a pouch on their abdomen.

Question 28

Couvade

Answer 28

Symptoms of pregnancy and birth experienced by fathers.

Question 29

Implantation

Answer 29

Embedding into the nurturing lining of the uterus.

Question 30

XX/XY

Answer 30

Female (XX) and Male (XY)

Question 31

Genetic Counseling

Answer 31

“Intersection between psychology and medicine/genetics”
Assists individuals in making the decision about having a test (particularly for serious diseases i.e. Huntington’s disease) as well as coping with the aftermath of results (whether positive or negative).