Week 2 - Beginnings (Conception > birth)

Question 1

genetic influences on development

Answer 1

Genotype - totality of genes
Phenotype - the actual characteristics (what is seen and observed)

Dominant genes - expressed characteristics
Recessive genes - not expressed but part of genotype

Allele - the alternate form of a gene
Polygenic inheritance - expression of phenotypic characteristics due to interaction of multiple genes

23rd pair of chromosome determines gender (male x+y, female x+x)
Males more vulnerable to x chromosome linked recessive diseases

Question 2

genes and the environment

Answer 2

Epigenesis - continuous bidirectional interactions between genes and the environment
Genetic activity responds constantly to environmental influences.
Genes establish a reaction range of potential expression and environment determines where phenotype will fall.

Types of genotypes -
Passive: biological family provide genes and environment
Evocative: inherited characteristics evoke responses from others in the environment
Active: when people seek out environments that correspond to their genotypic characteristics

Theory of genotype - genes influence the kind of environment we experience.

Question 3

prenatal development, pregnancy including reproductive challenges

Answer 3

Teratogens - behaviours, environments and bodily conditions that could be harmful to an embryo/foetus (Malnutrition, Rubella (blind, deaf, liver, lung issues), Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (facial deformities, heart, misshapen limbs, cognitive issues), smoking (miscarriage, premature birth, low birthweight, lungs, language, attention, memory, behaviour), drugs, work, stress, DV and pollution)

Prenatal care - access to regular evaluations by health professional, diet, exercise (folic acid, iodine and iron strongly recommended)

Infertility - inability to conceive after 1 year. Sources - low count/movement/poor quality sperm, ovulation issues. Treatments - IVF, artificial insemination, drugs, adoption.

Question 4

the new born child and postpartum period.

Answer 4

Neonate - new born to 4 weeks old.
Apgar scale - measures appearance, pulse, grimace, activity and respiration on a numbered scale at birth and shortly after (7-10 good, 3 or below life threatening)

Low birthweight is under 2.5kgs (2nd cause of infant death in Australia 6.8/10 will die in first 4 weeks)
Preterm <37 weeks gestation

Sleep - neonates = 16-17 hours/day governed by humans not light/dark. High % of REM sleep.

Sense - touch (Earliest to develop), taste and smell (prefer sweet), hearing, sight (least developed sense, 20/20 by 6 moths old)

Breastfeeding - disease protection, cognitive development, reduced obesity, better health overall.