Lifespan And Development Flashcards
What is lifespan development?
Refers to age-related changes that occur from birth, throughout a person’s life, into and during old age.
What are the six stages of lifespan development?
- Prenatal Development
- Infancy
- Childhood
- Adolescence
- Early Adulthood
- Middle Age
- Older Age
What occurs during the first trimester of prenatal development?
Embryological and foetal development where the beginnings of all the major organ systems appear being laid down as ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm.
What is the main development occurring during the second trimester?
Development of organs and organ systems, with body shape and proportions changing such that the foetus looks distinctively human by 6 months.
What happens during the third trimester of prenatal development?
Rapid foetal growth and deposition of adipose tissue, with major organ systems fully functioning in the early stages.
What are the critical periods for organ development in prenatal stages?
- Placenta (start at week 1)
- Brain and spinal cord (start at week 2)
- Heart and foetal circulation (start at week 3)
- Lungs (start at week 4)
What immediate changes occur at birth regarding the circulatory system?
Dramatic changes occur when an infant takes its first breath, including the closure of the Ductus Arteriosus and Foramen Ovale.
True or False: Humans are born fully formed.
False
What characterizes the respiratory system in infants?
- Rib cage is soft and cartilaginous
- Poorly developed intercostal muscles
- Preferential nasal breathers
- Small airway diameters
How many bones are infants born with?
300 bones, some of which fuse over time.
What is ‘Transient Exuberance’ in the context of physical growth?
The concept that body parts grow at different rates, with weight increasing before height.
What factors influence growth and development?
- Genetic factors
- Environmental factors such as family, religion, climate, culture, school, community, and nutrition
Fill in the blank: Most infants double their birth weight at ______ months.
4-6
What period does childhood cover?
From 2 to 10 years.
When does adolescence begin?
Begins at puberty (10-14 years for girls and 12-16 years for boys).
What is a key change in the musculoskeletal system during adolescence?
Accelerated bone deposition and skeletal growth with the closure of epiphyseal plates.
What effect do sex hormones have on the neurological system during adolescence?
Increase in sex drive and sexual behaviors triggered by the increase in testosterone and oestrogen.
What happens to blood volume during adolescence?
Increases due to elevated levels of testosterone.
What is the significance of the closure of the epiphyseal plates?
Indicates the end of skeletal growth.
What is the summary of organ development stages?
- Organs laid down in embryonic stage
- Foetal stage is mainly growth
- Critical periods where systems are vulnerable during prenatal development
Fill in the blank: Growth and development is ______ driven.
hormone
What is the complexity of maturity beyond physical changes?
Maturity involves emotional and behavioral components, not just physical growth.
