Exam 1: Prenatal Development Flashcards
During prenatal development, the amniotic fluid exposes the fetus to all four basic taste sensations. Which of the following is true regarding fetal taste preferences?
A. The fetus cannot detect any flavors in the womb.
B. The fetus shows a preference for salty tastes.
C. The fetus is indifferent to all taste sensations.
D. The fetus shows a preference for sweet tastes.
D. The fetus shows a preference for sweet tastes.
While inside the womb, the fetus is exposed to various sounds, including the mother’s heartbeat, intestines, and lungs. External sounds like a motorcycle can reach up to 85 decibels. However, sound in the womb is different because:
A. The auditory system is fully developed but the fetus ignores the sounds.
B. The auditory system is not fully developed, and the ears are filled with vernix.
C. The fetus does not hear sounds until birth.
D. External noises cannot penetrate the womb.
B. The auditory system is not fully developed, and the ears are filled with vernix.
According to Salk, the fetal experience of the mother’s heartbeat might imprint rhythmic patterns that influence activities like music and dance. However, Tulloch’s replication attempt failed, possibly because:
A. The fetus cannot hear any sounds in the womb.
B. The fetus habituates to the constant sound of the heartbeat.
C. The mother’s heartbeat sound is too faint for the fetus to detect.
D. The fetal auditory system does not develop until after birth.
B. The fetus habituates to the constant sound of the heartbeat.
Research shows that newborns can recognize their mother’s voice shortly after birth. What evidence supports this?
A. Newborns prefer the sound of motorcycles to soft voices.
B. Three-day-old infants prefer the voices of strangers to their mother’s voice.
C. Newborns do not react to voices immediately after birth.
D. Three-day-old infants prefer their mother’s voice to a stranger’s voice.
D. Three-day-old infants prefer their mother’s voice to a stranger’s voice.
Why are sounds perceived differently by the fetus compared to how they are heard after birth?
A. The amniotic fluid acts as an amplifier for external sounds.
B. The fetus is surrounded by a creamy substance (vernix) that fills the ears, and the auditory system is not fully developed.
C. External sounds are blocked completely by the womb, and the fetus only hears internal sounds.
D. The fetus only perceives sounds above 100 decibels.
B. The fetus is surrounded by a creamy substance (vernix) that fills the ears, and the auditory system is not fully developed.
Which of the following is a common sound that the fetus hears during the last three months of prenatal development?
A. The mother’s heartbeat and external sounds like a motorcycle
B. Only external sounds like people talking
C. The mother’s voice but no internal sounds
D. Music from outside the womb, but not the mother’s voice
A. The mother’s heartbeat and external sounds like a motorcycle
What is a possible explanation for newborns preferring the mother’s voice over a stranger’s voice?
A. They hear the mother’s voice more frequently in the womb.
B. They cannot hear any sounds until birth.
C. They are genetically predisposed to recognize the mother’s voice.
D. They have no preference for any voices until they are several months old.
A. They hear the mother’s voice more frequently in the womb.
Which of the following statements is true about the fetus’s ability to hear during prenatal development?
A. The fetus starts hearing in the first trimester.
B. The auditory system is fully developed by the second trimester.
C. The fetus begins to hear during the last three months of pregnancy.
D. The fetus cannot hear any sounds at all in the womb.
C. The fetus begins to hear during the last three months of pregnancy.
What might explain why the fetus does not experience “heartbeat imprinting,” according to research?
A. The sound of the mother’s heartbeat is too loud and damages fetal hearing.
B. The fetus habituates to the constant sound of the heartbeat and stops responding to it.
C. The fetus cannot hear internal sounds like the mother’s heartbeat.
D. The mother’s heartbeat is masked by external noises like conversations.
B. The fetus habituates to the constant sound of the heartbeat and stops responding to it.
Salk’s theory proposed that the rhythm of the mother’s heartbeat might imprint on the fetus, leading to an influence on certain behaviors. Which of the following was not suggested as being influenced by heartbeat imprinting?
A. Rhythms of music and dance
B. Poetic metaphor
C. Baby’s preference to be held on the left side
D. Preference for louder sounds after birth
D. Preference for louder sounds after birth
What are teratogens?
A. Genetic mutations that cause birth defects
B. Non-genetic agents that can cause malformations during prenatal development
C. Beneficial nutrients that help fetal growth
D. Hormones that regulate prenatal development
B. Non-genetic agents that can cause malformations during prenatal development
Which of the following is an example of a teratogen?
A. Prenatal vitamins
B. Exposure to loud noises
C. A virus or infectious disease during pregnancy
D. Eating a balanced diet
C. A virus or infectious disease during pregnancy
Teratogens are most harmful to the developing fetus during:
A. The first trimester (embryonic stage)
B. The second trimester
C. The third trimester
D. During labor and delivery
A. The first trimester (embryonic stage)
Which of the following is NOT considered a teratogen?
A. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy
B. Prescription drugs like thalidomide
C. Exposure to toxic environmental chemicals
D. Regular physical exercise during pregnancy
D. Regular physical exercise during pregnancy
The effect of a teratogen on prenatal development depends on:
A. The timing of exposure during pregnancy
B. The genetic makeup of the mother
C. The amount and duration of exposure
D. Both A and C
D. Both A and C
Why is it difficult to identify teratogens?
A. Because they are always beneficial to prenatal development
B. Because their effects vary based on timing of exposure
C. Because they only affect postnatal development
D. Because they only affect the genetic makeup of the fetus
B. Because their effects vary based on timing of exposure
Teratogen exposure can sometimes occur even before conception. However, this is considered:
A. A common occurrence
B. A rare exception
C. Impossible
D. Only true for genetic disorders
B. A rare exception
What is the “critical period” in prenatal development?
A. The period in which the mother feels the most tired during pregnancy
B. The period when the fetus’s growth slows down
C. A limited period in prenatal development when a particular organ system is sensitive to an environmental event
D. The final stage of fetal development
C. A limited period in prenatal development when a particular organ system is sensitive to an environmental event
The critical period occurs during a time when the developing system is highly:
A. Resistant to environmental effects
B. Influenced by external genetic factors
C. Vulnerable due to its plasticity
D. Stable and unchanging
C. Vulnerable due to its plasticity
Which period is the most vulnerable to the effects of teratogens?
A. The first trimester, particularly during organ development
B. The second trimester, when fetal movement begins
C. The third trimester, during rapid brain development
D. After birth, during the neonatal stage
A. The first trimester, particularly during organ development
