Development

Question 1

What is prenatal development?

Answer 1

• from contraception to birth
• the development before infancy

Question 2

What are the three stages of prenatal development?

Answer 2

1. Germinal
2. Embryonic
3. Fetal

Question 3

Explain the Germinal Stage

Answer 3

• from contraception to 2 weeks
• the zygote migrates along the fallopian tube (takes 7 days)
• all the cells are undifferentiated
• at day 5 or 6 the cells form 2 masses (the inner mass called the embryoblast and the outer mass called the trophoblast to create the Blastocyst)
• blastocyst implants itself into the uterine wall (takes 7 days)
• the Germinal stage is complete when the placenta is functional

Question 4

Explain the Embryonic Stage

Answer 4

• occurs during weeks 4 and 8
• starts when placenta is functional (is able to deliver nutrients and remove waste)
• cell differentiation begins
• organs are being developed
• cell division continues
• mistakes in mitosis during this stage is more problematic because is is closer to the start of development
• this means that the error will be passed on to every daughter cell and the body will detect the error and terminate the pregnancy

Question 5

Explain the Fetal Stage

Answer 5

• occurs during week 8 to birth
• cell division and differentiation continue
• muscles and bones are formed and attached (allows for motor activity)
• the heart begins to function
• sex cells differentiate
• acceleration of brain development
• child can survive outside the womb when they hit the 22 week mark

Question 6

What are the four factors of prenatal environment?

Answer 6

1. maternal nutrition
2. maternal drug use
3. maternal illness
4. consumption of teratogens

Question 7

Explain the maternal nutrition factor

Answer 7

• is the mother consuming enough or too many calories?
• if not enough calories, risk of schizophrenia
• too many calories can make baby bigger and harder to push out

Question 8

Explain the maternal drug use factor

Answer 8

• illegal and legal drugs are harmful to the baby’s development
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)
• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Question 9

Explain the maternal illness factor

Answer 9

• mother can pass on illnesses
• unusually will do a c-section to avoid contact through the blood or avoid breastfeeding

Question 10

Explain the consumption of teratogens factor

Answer 10

• these are chemical agents that cause cancer/mutations
• they are harmless to fully developed people, but harmful to the embryo
• foods will differ in the concentration of teratogens
• morning sickness is often an aversion to foods that are high in teratogens