Physical Growth, Maturation, and Aging Practice Flashcards Chp. 8

Vocabulary terms and definitions related to prenatal and postnatal physical growth, maturation processes, and aging, as covered in KIN 4512.

Embryonic growth

The phase of prenatal development from conception to $8\,\text{weeks}$ characterized by an increasing number of cells and cell differentiation.

Fetal development

The phase of prenatal development from $9\,\text{weeks}$ until birth, involving additional growth, functional capacities, and cell differentiation.

Cell differentiation

The process wherein cells become specialized, forming specific tissues and organs.

Hyperplasia

A mechanism of fetal growth defined as an increase in the absolute number of cells.

Hypertrophy

A mechanism of fetal growth defined as an increase in the relative sizes of individual cells.

Cephalocaudal

A top-down direction of growth where the head and facial structures develop first, followed by the upper body and then the lower body.

Proximodistal

A middle-out direction of growth where the trunk tends to advance first, followed by the nearest parts of the limbs and then the distal parts.

Plasticity

The capability of cells to take on a new function even after differentiation for specialized functions has occurred.

Placenta

An organ that allows the transfer of oxygen, nutrients, and waste while preventing the mixing of maternal and fetal blood.

Fetal nourishment

The extrinsic factor that has the most influence on fetal development.

Congenital defects

Anomalies present at birth regardless of whether they are caused by genetic factors, extrinsic factors, or teratogens.

Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome)

A genetic disorder caused by an extra full or partial copy of chromosome $21$, resulting in physical growth delays, unique facial characteristics, and motor delays.

Teratogens

Any drug or chemical agent delivered through the nourishment system that acts as a malformation-producing agent during prenatal development.

Sigmoid curve

An S-shaped growth curve used to describe overall growth, height, and weight, which includes multiple phases such as lag, exponential, and stationary.

Adolescent growth spurt

A period of rapid growth that occurs on average at age $9$ for females and age $11$ for males.

Tanner Stages

A qualitative sequence used to categorize the typical changes in secondary sex characteristics during puberty.

Peak weight velocity

The maximum rate of weight gain, which follows peak height velocity by a delay of $2.5\text{--}5$ months in males and $3.5\text{--}10.5$ months in females.

Physiological maturation

The qualitative advance in biological make-up that varies between individuals and cannot be inferred through age or size alone.