Me 3.2a Physical Development Across the Lifespan: Prenatal Development, Infancy, and Childhood Flashcards
Conception
One of several million sperm cells penetrate a mature egg creating a fertilised egg or zygote.
zygote
Fertilised egg in a woman
how many zygotes survive past 2 weeks?
No more than half.
germinal stage
the stage where the zygote begins to divide in order to implant into the uterine wall. Once implantation is complete, the embryonic stage begins.
First week after concpetion
Cell division produces some 100 IDENTICAL cells.
After first week of conception
Cells begin to differentiate - specialise in structure and function.
placenta
An organ that forms in the womb, also called the uterus, during pregnancy. It is the life-link that transfers nutrients and oxygen from mother to embryo. Outer cells become this.
Embryo
The inner cells of the zygote turns into this: the baby.
next 6 weeks
Over the next 6 weeks, the embryo’s organs begin to form and function.
fetus
From around nine weeks after conception until birth, the developing human organism. Unmistakably human.
threshold of viability
the baby has developed enough and is likely to survive if born prematurely.
Since when can fetuses hear sound
6 months after conception
Why do babies prefer mother’s voice and language over others?
They hear that in the womb.
When can fetuses learn?
2 months before being born.
Teratogens
agents, such as chemicals and viruses, that can reach the embryo or fetus during prenatal development and cause harm.
fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
the wide range of physical, behavioural, and cognitive impairments that occur due to alcohol exposure before birth
fetal alcohol syndrome
congenital medical condition in which body deformation occurs or facial development or mental ability is impaired because the mother drinks alcohol during pregnancy.
What can stress cause?
An early delivery
Habituation
decreasing responsiveness with repeated stimulation → similar to sensory adaptation
Maturation
the biological growth processes that enable orderly changes in behaviour, relatively uninfluenced by experience. Will happen regardless of the environment
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood
fine motor
involving the small muscles of the body
gross motor
involving large muscles and whole-body movement
Why are humans born with almost all their brain cells?
Brain cells form at an extraordinary rate in the womb.
Critical Periods
a time during someone’s development in which a particular skill or characteristic is believed to be most readily acquired, and if not acquired by a certain time, it may be impossible to learn.
What part of the brain develops the most from ages 3-6?
The frontal lobe, causing developments in attention and behaviour.
