PSYC2030 Practice Questions - Wk5 Prenatal Development Flashcards
What is foetal programming?
The process where stimulus or insult during a vulnerable period can have long-lasting effects.
What impacts can foetal undernutrition have when it happens in the first, second, and third trimesters?
Down regulation of growth, disturbed feotplacental relationship, and brain growth at the expense of trunk, respectively. These responses cause a cascade of effects which show differential symptoms throughout life.
What are the three prenatal stages?
Germinal: <2 was (implantation uterus wall)
Embryonic: up to 8 weeks. (Ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm: become human)
Foetal: 8 was to birth (growth stage)
What is a teratogen?
Disruption to the ecology of the womb that interrupts normal development. E.g. cigarettes, alcohol, virus germs, drugs
What is timing important for teratogens?
Critical periods determine the effects. Some things only harmful at certain times (rubella). Organs and systems can be differently affected due to growth in stages.
When is there no risk of teratogens?
Embryonic stage: no blood connection to mother.
In the Dutch Hunger Winter studies, malnutrition was related to:
Lower birth weight, increased obesity, and more risk of schizophrenia. (All depending on point of exposure in pregnancy)
What was the most significant effect of this ‘prenatal’ programming?
Babies were prepared for a world of hunger but born into plenty. Mismatch in prenatal and postnatal environment led to increased disease risk.
Why are natural disasters an opportunity for experiments on maternal influences?
It would be unethical to cause (manipulate) stress in a normal experiment. Also, there is randomness built into the natural disaster participants.
What are possible mechanisms linking fetal exposure and child development?
Stress hormones
Epigenetics
Disrupted brain development (due to stress)
