Fertilization
union of sperm and ovum also called conception
Zygote
one-celled organism resulting from fertilization
Assisted Reproductive Technology
conception through artificial means
Dizygotic Twins
union of two different ova; with two different sperm cells. Called fraternal twins.
Monozygotic Twins
resulting from the division of a single zygote after fertilization. Also called Identical twins.
DNA or Deoxyribonucleic Acid
genetic material in al living cells. Chemical that carries inherited instruction for development of all cellular forms of life.
Chromosomes
coils of DNA that consist of smaller segments called genes.
Genes
functional units of heredity; small segments of DNA located in definite positions on particular chromosomes
Heredity
genetic transmission of heritable characteristics from parents to offspring
Human Genome
complete sequence of genes in the human body
Genetic Code
sequence of bases within the DNA molecule; governs the formation of proteins that determine the structure and functions of living cells.
Thymine
T in a DNA
Adenine
A in a DNA
Guanine
G in a DNA
Cytosine
C in a DNA
Meiosis
type of cell division that sex cells undergo when they are developing.
23 pairs of chromosomes; 46 in all
how many chromosomes does each cell in the human body have disregarding the sex cells
Mutations
permanent alterations in genes or chromosomes that may produce harmful characteristics.
Mother or Genetic Female
contains “X” and “X” chromosomes
Father or Genetic Male
contains “X” and “Y” chromosomes
Autosomes
Twenty-two pairs out of the 23 pairs are chromosomes that are not related to sexual expression
Alleles
two or more alternative forms of a gene that occupy the same position on paired chromosomes and affect the same trait
Homozygous
posses two identical alleles for a trait
Heterozygous
posses differing alleles for a trait
Dominant Inheritance
child receives different alleles but only the dominant one is expressed
Recessive Inheritance
child receives identical recessive alleles resulting in expression of a non dominant trait.
Polygenic Inheritance
interaction of several traits; where most traits result from. Multiple genes at different sites on chromosome affect a complex trait.
Phenotype
observable characteristics of a person
Genotype
genetic makeup of a person, containing both expressed and unexpressed characteristics.
Multifactorial Transmission
combination of genetic and environmental factors to produce certain complex traits.
Epigenesis
Mechanism that turns genes on or off and determines functions of body cells.
Genome Imprinting
the differential expression of certain traits depending on which parent the trait was inherited from
Incomplete Dominance
pattern of inheritance which a child receives two different alleles, resulting in partial expression of a trait.
Sex-linked Inheritance
certain characteristics carried on the X chromosome inherited differently to her male and female offspring.
Chromosomal Abnormalities
typically occur because of errors in cell division, resulitng in an extra or missing chromosome
Klinefelter Syndrome
caused by extra female sex chromosome (XXY)
Turner Syndrome
results from a missing sex chromosome (XO)
Down Syndrome
moderate-to-sever intellectual disability and by such physical signs as a downward-sloping skin fold at inner corners of the eyes. Also called Trisomy-21
extra 21st chromosome.
Genetic Counseling
clinical service that advises prospective partners of their probable risk of having children with hereditary defects.
Behavioral Genetics
Quantitative study of relative hereditary and environmental influences on behavior
Heritability
statistical estimate of contribution of heredity to individual differences in a specific trait within a given population
Concordant
tendency of twins to share same trait of disorder
Reaction Range
potential variability depending on environmental conditions, in the expression of a hereditary trait
Canalization
limitation on variance of expression of certain inherited characteristics
Genotype-environment Range
portion of phenotypic variation that results from reactions of genetically different individuals to similar environmental conditions
Genotype-environment Correlation
tendency of certain genetic and environmental influences to reinforce each other; may it be passive, reactive (evocative), or active. Also called genotype-environment covariance
Passive Correlations
not only inherit genes from your biological parents but also inherit from environment
Reactive, or Evocative Correlations
Children with differing genetic makeups evoke different reactions from others
Active Correlations
Children get older and more freedom, choose their own activities and environments, select or create experiences consistent with their genetic tendencies.
Niche-picking
tendency to seek out environments compatible with his or her genotype.
Nonshared Environmental Effects
unique environment which a child grows up, consisting of distinctive influences or influences that affect one child differently than another.
Obesity
extreme overweight in relation to age, sex, height, and body type.
Is a Multifactorial Condition
Temperament
one’s characteristic disposition, is largely inborn and consistent over the years, but it may respond to special experiences or parental handling.
Schizophrenia
mental disorder marked by loss of contact with reality; symptoms include hallucinations and delusions
Gestation
period of development between conception and birth
Gestational Age
age of unborn baby; usually dated frim the first day of an expectant mother’s last menstrual cycle
Germinal Stage
first 2 weeks of prenatal development
Embryonic Stage
second stage of gestation, weeks 2- 8
Fetal Stage
final stage of gestation, from 8 weeks to birth
Cephalocaudal Principle
upper parts of the body develop before the lower parts of the trunk
Proximodistal Principle
the parts of of the body near the center develop before the extremities
Implantation
attachment of the blastocyst to the uterine wall, occurring at about day 6
Spontaneous Abortion
natural expulsion from the uterus of an embryo that cannot survive outside the womb.
Also called Miscarriage
Teratogen
environmental agent that can interfere with normal prenatal development and cause developmental abnormalities
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)
combination of mental,, motor, and developmental abnormalities affecting the offspring of some women who drink heavily during pregnancy.
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
viral disease that undermines effective functioning of the immune system.
23.6%
percent of any single trial of ART resulted in a successful pregnancy in 2019
Artificial Insemination
The simplest form of ART
in which sperm is injected into a woman’s vagina, cervix, or uterus.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
another common method of ART
a woman’s ova are surgically removed, fertilized in a laboratory dish, and implanted in the woman’s uterus
Birth Disorders
the leading cause of infant death in the United States, accounting for 21 percent of infant deaths
ultrasound
the use of high-frequency sound waves to detect the outline of the fetus
pandemic
An epidemic or disease spread across multiple countries or continents.
COVID-19
A novel coronavirus disease causing fatigue, loss of sense of smell, fever, and respiratory distress; the source of the 2019 pandemic.
coronaviruses
A large family of respiratory viruses, including those that cause the common cold, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), and COVID-19
stress
(1) Physical or psychological demands on a person or organism. (2) Response to physical or psychological demands.
Embryoscopy
the insertion of a tiny viewing scope into the mother’s uterus through the abdominal wall for a direct look at the embryo
99%
About 810 women die each day from childbirth related complications, with ________ percent of these deaths occurring in low-resource areas
40%
In low-income countries, only ______ percent of women receive the minimum World Health Organization standard of four visits