Prenatal Development

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering developmental psychology basics and prenatal development concepts derived from the lecture notes.

Developmental psychology

The study of change and stability across the lifespan, including physical, cognitive, and social development.

Prenatal development

Development before birth, consisting of germinal, embryonic, and fetal stages.

3 domains studied by developmental psychologists

Physical, cognitive, and social development.

3 big issues studied by developmental psychologists

Nature vs. nurture; continuity vs. stages; stability vs. change.

Longitudinal design

Compares the development of the same people as they age.

Cross-sectional design

Compares development in people of different ages at one time.

Gametes (sex cells)

Eggs and sperm; haploid cells with 23 chromosomes each.

Zygote

Fertilized egg; a single cell that results from the fusion of egg and sperm.

Morula

A solid ball of cells formed after initial divisions; develops into the blastocyst.

Blastocyst

A hollow sphere of cells that implants into the uterine wall; outer cells form placenta, inner cells form embryo.

Germinal stage

First prenatal stage; begins at fertilization and ends with implantation (about 2 weeks).

Embryonic stage

Second prenatal stage; weeks 3-8; major organs and systems begin to form.

Fetal stage

Final prenatal stage; weeks 9 to birth; rapid growth and refinement; fetus can move and respond to stimuli.

Teratogen

Any agent outside the placenta that can harm embryonic/fetal development; examples include alcohol, nicotine, infections, malnutrition, stress.

Teratogens: embryonic vulnerability

Most vulnerable during the embryonic stage due to organ formation.

Chromosomal abnormality

Anomalies in chromosome number or structure (e.g., extra or missing chromosomes).

Genetic abnormality

Changes in genes that may affect development; can involve mutations.

Placenta

Organ connecting mother and fetus; nourishes the fetus and removes waste.

Embryo

Developing organism from approximately week 3 through week 8.

Fetus

Developing organism from week 9 to birth.

Fertilization

Union of sperm and egg; nuclei fuse to form the zygote.

Location of fertilization

Typically in the fallopian tube.

Menstrual cycle

Cycle of ovulation and preparation of the uterine lining; if no fertilization, endometrium sheds.

Ovulation

Release of an egg from the ovary during the menstrual cycle.

Ovary

Female gonad that stores eggs and releases them during ovulation.

Fallopian tube

Tube through which eggs travel and where fertilization often occurs.

Uterus

Womb; site of embryo/fetus development; implants in the uterine lining.

Cervix

Lower part of the uterus; remains closed after fertilization and dilates during birth.

Vagina

Birth canal; passageway from uterus to the outside world.

Placenta formation

Develops early in prenatal development; nourishes the fetus and removes waste.

Embryonic neural development

Early formation of the nervous system; the neural tube develops into the brain and spinal cord.

Embryo vs. fetus

Embryo = developing organism from fertilization to about 8 weeks; fetus = from ~9 weeks to birth.

Chromosomal and genetic abnormalities focus

Abnormalities often involve more or fewer genes or defects in chromosomes.

Longest prenatal stage

The fetal stage, lasting roughly 30–32 weeks to birth.