Genetics, Prenatal Development, Birth, and Postpartum Review

Vocabulary study flashcards covering key terms from Genetics, Prenatal Development, Birth, Newborn Reflexes, and Postpartum Health.

DNA

Genetic material that contains instructions for development.

Genes

Sections of DNA that influence characteristics.

Chromosomes

Structures containing DNA and genes, normally present as $46$ chromosomes ($23$ pairs) in humans.

Zygote

The single cell created when sperm and egg combine.

Genome

All of a person's genetic information.

Genotype

A person's underlying genetic makeup.

Phenotype

Characteristics that are actually expressed or observable.

Dominant Gene

A gene that is expressed when a person has at least one copy.

Recessive Gene

A gene that is generally expressed only when a person inherits the recessive version from both parents.

Incomplete Dominance

A condition where neither gene version completely dominates the other, resulting in a combination of traits.

Behavioral Genetics

The study of how genes and environment contribute to differences in behavior and characteristics.

Identical Twins

Twins that develop from one fertilized egg that splits, sharing essentially identical genetic information.

Fraternal Twins

Twins that develop from two different eggs fertilized by two different sperm, sharing genetic similarity to ordinary siblings.

Concordance

A measure of how often both twins show the same characteristic.

Heritability

An estimate of how much variation in a characteristic within a population is associated with genetic differences.

Epigenetics

Changes in gene expression that occur without changing the underlying DNA sequence.

Embryonic Period

A prenatal period when major organ systems develop rapidly, making it especially vulnerable to teratogens.

Teratogen

A behavior, environmental exposure, or bodily condition that can potentially harm prenatal development.

Folic Acid

A nutrient important for nervous system development; inadequate levels increase the risk of neural-tube problems.

Iron

An essential nutrient during pregnancy whose deficiency increases risks of premature birth and low birth weight.

Iodine

An essential nutrient required for fetal brain development.

Rubella

Also called German measles; an infectious disease that can cause severe harm during the embryonic period.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

A condition caused by heavy prenatal alcohol exposure affecting physical development, learning, attention, memory, and behavior.

Stage 1 — Labor

The longest stage of birth, where oxytocin triggers contractions that dilate the cervix to about $10\,\text{cm}$.

Stage 2 — Delivery

The birth stage where the mother pushes and contractions move the baby through the birth canal until birth.

Stage 3 — Placenta

The final birth stage in which the placenta and umbilical cord are expelled.

Crowning

The point during delivery when the baby's head becomes visible.

Breech Birth

A birth complication where the baby positions feet or buttocks first instead of head first.

Failure to Progress

A complication in which labor takes too long or stops progressing.

C-Section

Surgical delivery of a baby through the abdomen rather than vaginally.

Midwives

Healthcare professionals providing prenatal advice, diet/exercise guidance, labor support, massage/pain-relief, and postnatal care.

Neonatal Period

The first $28\,\text{days}$ after birth.

Virginia

A realistic childbirth simulator used at a rural hospital in Cloquet to allow providers to practice deliveries and complications.

Reflex

An automatic, inborn movement in response to stimulation.

Rooting Reflex

A newborn reflex where touching the cheek causes the baby to turn toward the touch to aid in feeding.

Sucking Reflex

A newborn reflex where placing something in the mouth causes automatic sucking.

Moro Reflex

A startle response in newborns involving the extending and flinging outward of arms and legs.

Grasping Reflex

A reflex where a newborn grabs hold of an object touching their palm.

Stepping Reflex

A reflex where holding a newborn upright causes them to make stepping movements.

Tonic Neck Reflex

A reflex where a newborn's head and arms automatically move into specific positions.

Postpartum Depression (PPD)

A severe and long-lasting form of depression after childbirth involving persistent sadness, anxiety, and operational impairment.