Week Two - Foundations of Development

Question 1

What do genes do?

Answer 1

Create the proteins and enzymes that build and regulate the body

Question 2

Where are genes located?

Answer 2

On chromosomes (every cell contains chromosomes)

Question 3

What is a genotype?

Answer 3

Actual genetic makeup

Question 4

What is a phenotype?

Answer 4

How those genes are expressed

Question 5

Explain identical twin genes

Answer 5

Monozygotic with 100% gene overlap and possibly 100% environment overalp

Question 6

Explain fraternal twin genes

Answer 6

Dizygotic (50% genes) and possibly 100% environmental overlap

Question 7

What is Canalisation?

Answer 7

Where behaviour follows a genetic ‘blueprint’

Question 8

What is niche picking?

Answer 8

Seeking an environmental niche that suits genetics

Question 9

What is reaction range?

Answer 9

Genes ‘set the boundaries’ for environmental effects

the environment will determine where in the reaction range you will be (eg iQ)

Question 10

What is the germinal stage of prenatal development?

Answer 10

Begins 0-2 weeks and the zygote divides and redivides into hundred of cells (blastocyst) and then implants onto uterine wall (fully implanted blastocysts = embryo)

Question 11

Explain the Embryonic stage of prenatal development?

Answer 11

weeks 3-8.

Basic organs are formed and the embryo begins to response to direct stimulation

Question 12

What happens after week 3 of conception?

Answer 12

The embryonic disk differentiates into:
ectoderm
mesoderm
endoderm

Question 13

What occurs in the first 1-2 months of the embryonic stage?

Answer 13

Month 1:
develop brain, heart, muscles, spine, rubs, DS

Month 2:
develop eyes, nose, mouth, neck, limbs start to harden and form

Question 14

What occurs in the fetal stage of prenatal development?

Answer 14

weeks 9 to birth
organs rake on final form and begin to function
become more human in proportion
respond to external stimuli

Question 15

What is a babies physical condition (when born) assessed by? Describe it.

Answer 15

Apgar scale at 1 and 5 mins with ratings from 1-3

Assesses heart rate, breathing ability, reflexes, skin colour and muscle tone

a score of 7-10 = good
4-6 = fair condition
0-3 = very poor

Question 16

What is teratogen?

Answer 16

A substance/environmental influence that can damage embryos development (causing serious malformation or even death)

Includes diseases, drugs, and other harmful influences

Question 17

Do teratogens always have the same effect?

Answer 17

No. They have different effects at different times in development

Question 18

Explain a sensitive period (in regard to teratogen)?

Answer 18

Each organs sensitivity varies over time, some teratogens may not influence later in pregnancy

Question 19

Explain tissue-specific effects of teratogens?

Answer 19

They work in specific ways on specific tissues

Question 20

Does the mother also experience effects of teratogen?

Answer 20

Not always - she may have no adverse effect

Question 21

What are some individual differences with teratogens?

Answer 21

The effects of them differ according to foetus as well as mother

Question 22

What is the dose-response relationship regarding teratogens?

Answer 22

The greater the dose of the teratogen, the worse the effect

Question 23

Explain medicinal drug teratogens?

Answer 23

Some drug molecules are small enough to cross the placental barrier and affect foetus including:
Aspirin
Quinine
Thalidomide

Question 24

Explain non-medicinal drug teratogens?

Answer 24

Things like tobacco, heroin, alcohol. Make baby at risk of many health problems such as prematurity, low-birthweight, addiction

Question 25

Why is foetal research limited?

Answer 25

Because we are limited by relative inaccessibility to the foetus

Question 26

Explain learning in utero

Answer 26

The foetus can habituate to repetitive sounds (we can tell by changes in heart rate, kicking). This persists after birth as babies develop postnatal preferences (prefer things they had before birth)