Module 11 - developmental issues, prenatal development, and the newborn

Question 1

two types of studies evaluating development

Answer 1

1. cross-sectional study
2. longitudinal study

Question 2

cross-sectional studies

Answer 2

• studying multiple age groups at once
  limitations
• differences may be a product of the era in which subjects grew up, rather than their development

Question 3

longitudinal study

Answer 3

• studying same individuals over time
  limitation
• difference may be product of the eras at which the subjects are studied, rather than their development
• general environment still changes, not neccesarily due to aging

Question 4

three prenatal stages

Answer 4

1. germinal (1-2 weeks)
2. embryonic (3-8 weeks)
3. fetal (9 weeks-birth)

Question 5

germinal/pre-embryonic stage

Answer 5

• 1-2 weeks
• starts with zygote (single cell from sperm and egg)
• divides repeatedly to form clump of identical undifferentiated cells
• most never make it past this stage

Question 6

Embryonic stage

Answer 6

• 3-8 weeks
• inner cells become the embryo, outer cells become the plancenta
• placental attaches to the wall of the uterus and gives rise to the umbilical chord
• embryos of different species look very similar to each other

Question 7

fetal stage

Answer 7

• organs continue to form
• recognizably human shape

Question 8

teratogens

Answer 8

• something that is harmful to prenatal development
• chemicals or organisms that can harm the embryo/feuts (alcohol)
• placental screens out some, but others slip through

Question 9

newborn behavior

Answer 9

• automatic reflexes, responses (such as suckling, swallowing)
• cry for help and comfort
• habituation
  
  • lose interest in unchanging stimulation
  • except certain stimuli that they naturally prefer (faces, mothers scent, and voice)