Week 2

Question 1

behaviour genetics

Answer 1

field in the study of human development that aims to identify the extent to which genes influence behaviour, primarily by comparing persons who share different amounts of their genes

Question 2

heritability

Answer 2

estimate of the extent to which genes are responsible for the differences among persons within a specific population, with values ranging from 0 to 1.00
Higher the heritability, the more the characteristic is believed to be influenced by genetics
Heritability estimates are simply estimates based on comparisons of persons with different amounts of genetic material in common, not direct measures of the activity of genes
They are a measure also of how much the environment allows genes to be expressed (phenotype)

Question 3

Concordance rate

Answer 3

% that indicates the degree of similarity in phenotype among pairs of family members
Higher the concordance rate, the more similar the two persons are
When concordance rates are higher among MZ than DZ twins, this indicates that the basis for the trait is partly genetic

Question 4

Epigenesis

Answer 4

development results from the bidirectional interactions between genotype and environment

Question 5

reaction range

Answer 5

range of possible developmental paths established by genes, environment determines where development takes place within that range
Genes establish a reaction range of potential expression and environment determines where a person’s phenotype will fall within that range

Question 6

passive genotype -> environment effects

Answer 6

In biological families, parents provide both genes and environment for their children
In biological families, parents provide environmental and genetic influences, and they are likely to provide an environment that reinforces the tendencies they have provided to their children through their genes

Question 7

evocative genotype -> environment effects

Answer 7

A person’s inherited characteristics evoke responses from others in their environment
Respond differently based on their characteristics

Question 8

active genotype -> environment effects

Answer 8

When people seek out environments that correspond to their genotypic characteristics, niche picking
People are drawn to environments that match

Question 9

genotype -> environment effects over time

Answer 9

The three types operate throughout childhood, adolescence and adulthood, but their relative balance changes over time
In childhood, passive genotype -> environment effects are especially pronounced, and active genotype -> environment effects are relatively weak
Because the younger a child is, the more parents control the daily environment the child experiences and the less autonomy the child has to seek out environmental influences outside the family
When autonomy increases, active genotype -> environment effects also increase
In adulthood, passive genotype -> environment effects fade entirely and active genotype -> environment effects move to the forefront
Evocative genotype -> environment effect remain stable throughout

Question 10

first trimester

Answer 10

1-12 weeks
germinal
embryonic
fetal

Question 11

germinal

Answer 11

1-2 weeks

blastocyst forms, implants in uterus and begins forming amnion, placenta and umbilical cord

Question 12

embryonic 3-4 weeks

Answer 12

ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm
neural tube develops and produces neurons
heart begins beating
ribs, muscle and digestive tract form

Question 13

embryonic 5-8 weeks

Answer 13

arms and legs develop and fingers and toes 
placenta and umbilical cord function 
digestive system develops 
liver produces blood cells 
embryo responds to touch

Question 14

fetal

Answer 14

9-12 weeks
genitals form and release sex hormones
nails and taste buds develop
heartbeat audible w stethoscope

Question 15

second trimester

Answer 15

13-24 weeks 
movement 
breathes amniotic fluid 
repsonds to sound 
vermix and lanugo develop on skin

Question 16

third trimester

Answer 16

25-38 weeks 
lungs fully develop 
birth weight 2/3 gained 
brain development 
sleep wake cycle resembles newborn

Question 17

FASD

Answer 17

facial deformities, heart problems, misshapen limbs and cognitive problem, more alcohol drank more severe; most common in developed countries; raises rate of delinquency, alcohol and drug abuse and mental health problems

Question 18

tobacco

Answer 18

higher risk for miscarriage, premature birth, leading cause of low birth weight in developed countries
Impaired heart function, difficulty breathing and death
Poorer language skills, attention, memory and behaviour problems
Second hand smoke from fathers: higher risk of low birth weight and childhood cancer
Rate of smoking rising in developing and developed countries

Question 19

down syndrome

Answer 19

Trisomy 21
Short stocky build, flat face, large tongue, extra fold of skin on eyelid
Cognitive deficits- intellectual disability and speech problems
Some physical development problems like hearing impairments and heart defects
Supportive and encouraging parents mean a child will be more social
Intervention programs in infancy and preschool
Age faster than others- total brain volume decreases after 20
Physical illness for people in late adulthood affect those with DS in their 30s and 40s
Life expectancy lower- 50s to 60s

Question 20

ultrasound

Answer 20

high frequency sound waves directed towards uterus; 3D/4D images of fetus size, shape and activities; used to screen for DS at age 13 weeks; cheap, easy, safe

Question 21

amniocentesis

Answer 21

long hollow needle instead into mums abdomen using ultrasound image for guidance, sample of amniotic fluid is taken from placenta surrounding the fetus; fluid contains fetal cells sloughed off during prenatal development with baby’s genotype; 15-20 weeks; only for high risk; small risk of triggering miscarriage; detects 40 defects

Question 22

CVS

Answer 22

sampling and analysing cells early in development; 5-10 weeks; from cells beginning to form umbilical cord; tube inserted vaginally into uterus; slight risk of miscarriage or damage to fetus; only high risk; 99% accurate in diagnosing genetic problems

Question 23

genetic counselling

Answer 23

high risk family history; analysing family history and genotypes of prospective parents to identify possible risks; enables people to make an informed decision; counsellor takes family history, partners provide blood, skin or urine samples, couple decide whether or not to attempt pregnancy

Question 24

AGPAR scale

Answer 24

appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, respiration
rated on the subsets first about a minute after birth and then again 5 minutes after
7 to 10 means good to excelled
4 to 6 means anoxia is likely and neonate needs assistance to begin breathing
3 or below means life threatening danger and immediate medical assistance needed
also predicts the neonate’s risk of death in the first month of life

Question 25

NBAS

Answer 25

27 items such as reflexes, physical state, response to social stimulation and CNS instability
Based on these, overall rating given of ‘worrisome’, ‘normal’ or ‘superior’
Day after birth but also can be given any time in the first 2 months
Most effectively predicts future development if given a day after birth and then a week later
Those rated normal or superior at both or show a ‘recovery curve’ from worrisome to normal or superior are likely to develop well
Neonates who are worrisome at both or go down to worrisome from normal or superior are at risk for early developmental problems
Promotes the development of relationship with parents
Asian neonates tend to be calmer and less irritable

Question 26

very low birth weight

Answer 26

weigh less than 3.3 pounds (1500g) at birth

Question 27

extremely low birth weight

Answer 27

weigh less than 2.2 pounds (1000g) at birth

Question 28

kangaroo care

Answer 28

recommended care for preterm and low birth weight neonates, in which mothers or fathers are advised to place the baby skin-to-skin on their chests for 2-3 hours a day for the early weeks of life