Psych-prental development, birth, and the newborn

What are behavioral genetics?

specialize in the consequence of heredity on behavior

What are the male and female reproductive cells also known as?

gametes

Zygote

the result when both gametes from the male and female fuse

How many chromosomes are within the zygote?

46 (23 pairs)

What is mitosis responsible for?

cell replication

What percent of pregnancies produce twins?

less than 3 percent

Monozygotic twins

twins are genetically identical

Dizygotic twins

twins are not genetically identical

Which parent determines the sex of the child?

the father whose XY set will either donate an X or a Y while the mothers XX set will always produce an X

Dominant trait

the single trait that is expressed when two competing traits are present

Recessive trait

the single trait that is not expressed when two competing traits are present

Genotype

the underlying combination of genetic material present but outwardly invisible an in organism

Phenotype

the observable trait that is actually visible

What are the main stages of prenatal growth?

• germinal

• (zygote begins to divide and grow in complexity)

• ex. first two weeks

• embryonic

• (features development of major organs and basic anatomy)

• ex. two to eight weeks

• fetal

• (differentiation of major organs)

• 8 weeks till birth

What plays a role in fetal brain development?

the placenta

Teratogen

an environmental agent such as a drug, chemical agent, virus or other agent that produces a birth defect

Who are older mothers more likely to give birth to?

those with down syndrome or other intellectual disabilities

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)

A disorder that may include below-average intelligence and sometimes intellectual disability, delayed growth, and facial deformities

ex. occurs from drinking alcohol

Fetal alcohol effects (FAE)

condition where babies display some but not all of effects of FASD

Which hormone stimulates uterine contractions?

oxytocin

Neonate

the term used for a newborn

Apgar scale

appearance (color)

pulse (heart rate)

grimace (reflex irritability)

activity (muscle tone)

respiration (respiratory effect)

ex. used to assess health of newborn

Critical period

a specific time frame in early development when the brain and nervous system are extremely sensitive to certain environmental stimuli needed for normal growth

Lamaze birthing

the method makes use of breathing techniques and relaxation training

Will those in lower income groups tend to suffer more pain in childbirth?

yes, because they are less prepared for labor

Bradley method

the principle that childbirth should be as natural as possible and involve no medication or medical interventions

Preterm infants

newborns born prior to 38 weeks and because of delayed fetal growth, weigh 90 percent or less than average

What condition may preterm infants develop?

respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)

Very-low-birthweight infants

those who have been in the womb less than 30 weeks

Postmature infants

those unborn at least 2 weeks after the mother’s due date

Cesarean delivery

also known as a c-section

when the baby is surgically removed from the uterus rather than traveling through birth canal

Stillbirth

the delivery of a child who is not alive

For mothers, what does childbirth lead to reductions in?

gray matter of the brain related to social cognition

Reflexes

unlearned, organized, involuntary responses that occur in response to stimuli

Rooting reflex

turning in the direction of a source of stimulation

ex. mainly the mouth

Do certain colors hold babies’ attention more?

yes

ex. mainly blue and green

Are newborn’s sensory skills underdeveloped?

no, in fact they are quite sophisticated

Classical conditioning

an organism learns to respond in a particular way to a neutral stimulus that normally does not bring about that type of response

Operant conditioning

a form of learning in which a voluntary response is strengthened or weakened depending on its association with positive or negative consequences

Habituation

the decrease in response to a stimulus that occurs after repeated presentations of the same stimulus

Orientating response

when they become quiet, attentive, and experience a slowed heart rate as they take in the novel stimulus

What is the development of habituation linked with?

physical and cognitive maturation

What is the single imitative movement babies are competent with?

sticking out the tongue

States of arousal

different degrees of sleep and wakefulness that range from deep sleep to great agitation