Prenatal development

Question 1

zygote

Answer 1

The fertilized egg.

Question 2

endoderm

Answer 2

The inner layer of the embryo, which becomes the lungs and the digestive system.

Question 3

implantation

Answer 3

The process in which the zygote burrows into the uterine wall and establishes connections with the mother’s blood vessels.

Question 4

placenta

Answer 4

The structure through which nutrients and wastes are exchanged between the mother and the developing child.

Question 5

embryo

Answer 5

The name given to the developing baby after the zygote is completely embedded in the uterine wall.

Question 6

ectoderm

Answer 6

The outer layer of the embryo, which becomes the hair, outer layer of skin, and nervous system.

Question 7

mesoderm

Answer 7

The middle layer of the embryo, which will become the muscles, bones, and circulatory system.

Question 8

amniotic sac

Answer 8

An inner sac in which the developing child will rest.

Question 9

amniotic fluid

Answer 9

Fluid in the amnion that cushions the embryo and maintains a constant temperature.

Question 10

umbilical cord

Answer 10

A structure containing veins and arteries that connects the developing child to the placenta.

Question 11

Fetus

Answer 11

an unborn offspring of a mammal, in particular an unborn human baby more than eight weeks after conception

Question 12

cell division

Answer 12

f

Question 13

cell migration

Answer 13

f

Question 14

cell differentiation

Answer 14

f

Question 15

cell death

Answer 15

f

Question 16

teratogens…Why is the timing of exposure to teratogens during pregnancy critical?

Answer 16

• An agent that causes abnormal prenatal development.

- tell us about nature and nurture interaction in the womb

Question 17

What are the legal drugs that cause by far the most havoc for fetal development?*

Answer 17

• alcohol
• aspirin
• caffeine
• marijuana
• accutane
• nicotine

Question 18

Which teratogen is responsible for FAS? What are the effects?

Answer 18

• alcohol

- cause: FAS disorder (small head, thin upper lip, eyes wide apart), cognitive deficits, retarded growth

Question 19

Do all illegal drugs affect unborn children in the same way? (Compare marijuana and cocaine)*

Answer 19

• marijuana: lower birth weight; less motor control

- cocaine: retarded growth; irritability in newborns

Question 20

How might environmental pollutants harm an unborn infant? *

Answer 20

• air pollutants: low birth weight, premature brith, lower test scores
• lead: development disabilities
• mercury: retarded growth, cerebral palsy
• PCBs: impaired memory and verbal skills

Question 21

What do studies examining effects of famine tell us about how nutrition during pregnancy affects prenatal development

Answer 21

• malnutrition can harm fetal growth & brain development. Can also cause obesity and diabetes later
• famine increases rates of stillbirth, malformations, lower birthrates, early death

Question 22

What is the effect of chronic maternal stress? What do studies of such as Project Ice Storm Tell us about the effects of maternal stress during pregnancy on the child?

Answer 22

• Stress is associated with premature birth and small birth weight
• Stress during pregnancy associated with poor outcomes
• • Attention problems
• • Weakening of immune systems

-methylation higher in children who’s mother experienced severe stress while pregnant

Question 23

How was baby Elizabeth’s treatment different from other premature babies?

Answer 23

-she was a premature baby who was put in a nursery “resembling” a womb

Question 24

What was her outcome? And how does this inform our understanding of brain maturation?

Answer 24

-2 weeks after discharge: independent feeding, better weight gain, improved neurobehavioral outcome, shorter periods of time in the hospital

Question 25

What evidence is there that fetal learning occurs in the womb? (hint: discuss the research of DeCasper & Spence (1986))

Answer 25

babies can recognize stories read to them while in the womb

Question 26

How did DeCasper & Spence measure memory after birth?

Answer 26

• mothers read cat in the hat while pregnant
• once babies were born they would read cat in the hat or a new story
• found babies suck on pacifier more when read cat in the hat and less when read a new story.

Question 27

what are the risks associated with teenage motherhood?*

Answer 27

• greater risk to give birth early
• give birth to babies low in birth weight
• poor prenatal care sometimes
• babies do less well in school & have more behavioral problems

Question 28

What are the risk factors associated with pregnancy and childbirth at older ages?*

Answer 28

• risks of miscarriage and stillbirth increase rapidly
• higher chances of Down syndrome
• low birth weight

Question 29

What are the main challenges to adjusting to parenthood?*

Answer 29

• physical changes
• psychologically
• baby blues
• postpartum depression

Question 30

What are the main newborn states?*

Answer 30

• State 1: deep sleep
• State 2: light sleep
• State 3: drowsiness
• State 4: quiet alert
• State 5: active alert
• State 6: crying