Exam 1 Flashcards
affects of poverty on human development
lower academic achievement, poorer mental health and wellbeing, increased stress
nature-nurture
the debate on whether biological factors such as genes or the environments we grew up in have a greater affect on us
low life history strategy
likely to be adopted when life is secure and predictable
fast life history strategy
likely to be adopted in stressful environments in which life is harsh and unpredictable
Cultural evolution: Generational trauma
The process through which we inherit from previous generations then invent better ways of adapting to pass on what we learn to the next generation
conception
when the genetic material of the sperm and egg unite to form a single-celled zygote
mitosis
cell divides to produce two identical cells, each containing the same 46 chromosomes
zygotes become multiple cell organisms through mitosis
crossing over
pairs of chromosomes line up, and before separating, they cross each other and parts are exchanged
unlikely that there will be another human exactly like you genetically (exception: identical twins)
Identical twins: not 100%
One fertilized ovum divides to form two or more genetically identical individuals
Fraternal twins
two ova are released at approximately the same time and each is fertilized by a different sperm
Gene expression
Activation of particular genes in particular cells of the body at particular times
mutations
change in the structure or arrangement of one or more genes that produces a new phenotype
-Odds that mutations will occur are increased by environmental hazards
-Most are just spontaneous errors during cell division
-Fathers contribute about four times the number of new mutations as mothers
Gene–environment interaction
The effects of genes depend on what kind of environment we experience
-how we respond to the environment depends on what genes we have
triggers psychological problems
Often a combination of high-risk genes and a high-risk environment
Diathesis–stress model
Psychological disorder results from an interaction of a person’s predisposition or vulnerability to problems and the experience of stressful events
Gene–environment correlations
Ways that a person’s genes and his or her environment are systematically interrelated
-passive
-evocative
-active
Epigenetic effects
Environmental factors affect whether or not particular genes in particular cells are expressed
Varicocele
A condition affecting men in which enlarged veins on their testicles raise the temperature in the testes, interfering with sperm production
Endometriosis
A condition affecting women arising when bits of tissue lining the uterus grow outside of the uterus
Artificial insemination
-Also called intrauterine insemination
-Involves injecting sperm into the uterus
In vitro fertilization
-several eggs are removed from a woman’s ovary and manually combined with sperm in a laboratory
-returned to uterus in hopes that one egg will implant
prenatal development
divided into three stages
-germinal period
-embryonic period
-fetal period
Germinal period
-first trimester begins
-lasts approx. 2 weeks
-zygote divides many times through mitosis, forming the blastocyst
Embryonic period
Occurs from the third to the eighth week after conception
-every major organ takes shape; organogenesis
-amnion, chorion, placenta form
-beginnings of the brain form at 3-4 weeks
Fetal period
-lasts from 9th week of pregnancy until birth
-part of the first trimester and all of the middle and last trimesters
-Critical period for three processes of brain development: proliferation, migration, and differentiation
Spina bifida
Part of the spinal cord is not fully encased in the protective covering of the spinal column
Anencephaly
Failure to close at the top of the neural tube
-fatal, as main portion of brain does not develop
sex differentiation
begins during the seventh and eighth prenatal weeks
FL abortion laws
abortions in FL are only legal for the first 15 weeks
Age of viability
-23-25 weeks: fetus is likely to survive
-want to wait full 40 weeks so lungs fully develop
second half of pregnancy
-neurons proliferate
-neurons increase in size
-neurons develop myelin
Fetal programming
-environmental events during pregnancy may alter the expected genetic unfolding of the embryo/fetus
-lower birth weight- lungs underdeveloped
teratogen
Any disease, drug, or other environmental agent that can harm a developing fetus
-effects worse during critical period
-dosage and duration
-susceptibility to harm influenced by genetic makeup
-effects depend on quality of both prenatal and postnatal environments
dosage and duration
The greater and longer exposure, the more likely serious damage will occur
effects of teratogens depend on
-critical period
-dosage and duration
-genetic makeup
-environment
tobacco
increased risk of miscarriage, respiratory problems, cleft lips/palates, raises risk of SIDS
alcohol
crosses the placenta, can lead to neuronal death, fetal alcohol syndrome: signs of CNS damage, below average IQ, small head, thin upper lip, flat midface
maternal diabetes
-risk of premature delivery
-stillbirth or miscarriage
-immature lung development
-large fetal size
9/11’s affect on pregnant women
babies had low birth weight, underdeveloped lungs, respiratory issues
maternal obesity
offspring obesity and diabetes
perinatal environment
environment surrounding birth
childbirth
a three-stage process
first stage of labor
mother experiences regular contractions
-oxytocin: speeds up contractions
second stage of labor
delivery
third stage of labor
delivery of the placenta
anoxia
oxygen shortage
-umbilical cord becomes pinched or tangles
-sedatives interfere with baby’s breathing
severe oxygen shortage:
-memory impairment
-cerebral palsy
cesarean section
surgical procedure in which an incision is made in the mother’s abdomen and uterus so that the baby can be removed
-21% of deliveries worldwide
-32% in the United States
low birth weight is associated with
-age of mother (very young or old)
-race
-prior premature babies
-tobacco/alcohol use
-stress
-infections
-pregnancies w/ multiple fetuses
-high blood pressure
pituitary gland
-most important gland of the brain
-triggers the release of hormones
-produces growth hormone
endocrine system plays a role in male and female hormones
-testosterone, androgens
-estrogen
brain and nervous system
neurons: dendrite, cell body, axon
Cephalocaudal principle
Growth occurs in a head-to-tail direction
Proximodistal principle
Growth and development of muscles from the center outward to the extremities
Biopsychosociocultural model of health
Incorporates biological and psychological factors with social and cultural factors
Synaptogenesis
Growth of synapses, during childhood
Synaptic pruning
Removal of unnecessary synapses
Developing brain has plasticity
Responsive to the individual’s experiences and can develop in a variety of ways
The top most common causes of infant mortality are
-congenital malformations
-low birth weight
-maternal complications
Congenital malformations
-defects that are present at birth
-leading cause of death during the first year
common cause of child mortality
-accidents
-nutrition
puberty
processes of biological change that result in an attaining sexual maturity and becoming capable of producing a baby
Neurogenesis
Process of generating new neurons
hippocampus
Part of the brain involved in learning and memory
Neurocognitive maintenance
Regular upkeep of the brain
Neurocognitive reserve
Stockpile of neural resources that we save up over our lifetime
Compensation
our ability to enlist the help of other neural resources when we are faced with a challenging task that our brain might not otherwise be able to manage
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Symptoms as bloating, moodiness, breast tenderness, and headaches
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PDD)
Symptoms severe enough to interfere with their ability to perform daily activities
Menopause
Ending of a woman’s menstrual periods in midlife
andropause
-slowly decreasing levels of testosterone
-low libido
-fatigue and lack of energy
-erection problems
-memory problems
-loss of pubic hair
