Developmental Psychology: Heredity, Prenatal, and Childbirth

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to heredity, prenatal development, and childbirth.

Fertilization

The process in which sperm and ovum combine to create a zygote.

Ovulation

The expulsion of a mature ovum from the ovary, occurring monthly until menopause.

Dizygotic Twins

Also known as fraternal twins; formed from two separate eggs fertilized by two different sperms.

Monozygotic Twins

Twins that originate from the cleaving of one fertilized egg, resulting in genetically identical individuals.

Heredity

The genetic transmission of characteristics from parents to offspring.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

A long molecule shaped like a spiraling ladder, made up of chemical units called bases.

Chromosomes

Coils of DNA that contain smaller segments known as genes.

Mitosis

Cell division that occurs in non-sex cells.

Meiosis

Cell division that occurs in sex cells.

Mutation

An alteration in the genetic code due to mistakes during DNA replication.

Autosomes

Chromosomes that are not involved in determining sex.

Sex Chromosomes

The 23rd pair of chromosomes that determine an individual's sex (XX for female, XY for male).

Alleles

Different forms of a gene that can produce alternative expressions of traits.

Homozygous

An individual with two identical alleles for a particular trait.

Heterozygous

An individual with two different alleles for a specific trait.

Dominant

An allele that is expressed in the phenotype, regardless of the other allele present.

Recessive

An allele that is only expressed in the phenotype when paired with another recessive allele.

Polygenetic Inheritance

The interaction of multiple genes to influence a trait.

Phenotype

The observable characteristics of an individual.

Genotype

The underlying genetic makeup of an individual.

Epigenesis

The influence of environment on gene expression during critical developmental periods.

Teratogen

An environmental agent that causes malformation of the developing embryo.

Gestation

The period from conception to birth, typically lasting between 37 to 41 weeks.

Anoxia

Lack of oxygen supply to the body, potentially harmful during childbirth.

Kangaroo Care

Skin-to-skin contact method that helps stabilize a preterm baby's heart rate and temperature.

Postpartum Depression

A major depressive episode that occurs after childbirth, affecting the mother's ability to interact with her infant.