Prenatal Development and Genetics Vocabulary

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering heredity, chromosomal mutations, prenatal development periods, teratogens, and childbirth processes from the Module 3 lecture notes.

Evolutionary Psychology

A field of study focusing on how universal patterns of behavior and cognitive processes have evolved over time as adaptations.

Theory of Natural Selection

Charles Darwin's theory referring to the survival and reproduction of organisms better suited for their environment over those poorly suited.

Heredity

The process by which genetic information is passed from parents to their offspring, shaping physical characteristics, cognitive abilities, personality traits, and disease susceptibilities.

Spermatogenesis

The process by which male gametes (sperm) are produced in the testes, beginning at about $12$ years of age.

Zygote

A new single cell formed once a sperm unites with the nucleus of an egg during fertilization, containing combined genetic information from both parents.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

A helix-shaped molecule made up of nucleotide base pairs (adenine [A], guanine [G], cytosine [C], and thymine [T]) that forms long strings of genetic material inside chromosomes.

Meiosis

The cell division process where a cell divides twice, forming four haploid cells that each contain half the genetic information ($2n \rightarrow n$).

Genotype

The specific genetic makeup of an individual organism.

Phenotype

An individual's inherited visible and physical characteristics.

Autosomes

Any chromosome that is not a sex chromosome; in humans, $22$ of the $23$ pairs of chromosomes are autosomes.

Homozygous

Describing an individual who has two identical copies of the same allele for a given gene.

Heterozygous

Describing an individual who has a combination of two different alleles for a given gene.

Carrier

An individual who inherits a single recessive gene for a disease (such as cystic fibrosis) and can pass it on without displaying the disease phenotype.

Punnett Square

A diagrammatic grid used to predict the possible allele combinations and outcomes of genetic inheritance from two parents.

Single-Chromosome Mutations

Structural chromosome alterations shown as (1) deletion (loss of a segment), (2) duplication (repeat of a segment), and (3) inversion (segment broken and reattached upside down).

Down Syndrome

A genetic condition caused by an extra full or partial copy of chromosome $21$, leading to mild to moderate intellectual disability and specific physical features.

Turner Syndrome

A sex-linked chromosomal abnormality ($XO$ composition) occurring in female births where an ovum lacking an X chromosome is fertilized by an X sperm.

Klinefelter Syndrome

A sex-linked chromosomal abnormality ($XXY$ composition) occurring in male births where an ovum with an extra X chromosome is fertilized by a Y sperm.

Prenatal Screening

Affordable and noninvasive methods (such as ultrasounds and blood tests) used to identify potential developmental or structural problems across a large population.

Prenatal Diagnosis

Invasive or detailed diagnostic procedures pursued once a specific problem has been detected to provide precise medical information.

Epigenetics

The study of psychological and biological development resulting from an ongoing, bi-directional interplay between heredity and the environment above the genome.

Monozygotic Twins

Identical twins formed when a single fertilized zygote splits apart during the first two weeks of development.

Dizygotic Twins

Fraternal twins that arise from two separate eggs fertilized by two separate sperm, sharing approximately $50\%$ of their genetic material.

Germinal Period

The first two weeks of prenatal development following fertilization, during which the zygote divides via mitosis and implants into the uterine wall.

Embryonic Period

Weeks $3$ to $8$ of prenatal development, characterized by organogenesis, placenta formation, and cephalocaudal and proximodistal growth patterns.

Fetal Period

The stage of prenatal development from week $9$ until birth (week $40$), during which organ systems refine and grow significantly.

Age of Viability

The age at which a fetus has a chance of survival outside the womb, typically reached between $22$ and $26$ weeks of gestation.

Teratogens

Environmental factors—such as maternal diseases, drugs, alcohol, stress, or chemicals—that can cause birth defects during prenatal development.

Lamaze Method

A childbirth strategy that helps the mother stay in control during delivery through muscle relaxation, patterned breathing, a focal point, and support partner assistance.

Bradley Method

A childbirth method emphasizing natural delivery without drugs, focusing on nutrition, exercise, relaxation techniques, and the partner as a birth coach.

APGAR Score

A rapid newborn evaluation performed $1$ to $5$ minutes after birth assessing heart rate, respiration, muscle tone, reflexes, and skin color on a scale from $0$ to $2$ per category.

Hypoxia

A medical condition characterized by an inadequate supply of oxygen to the newborn shortly after birth.

Anoxia

A total lack of oxygen supply to the newborn shortly after birth, which can lead to brain damage or other severe conditions.