Physical Development Across the Lifespan

Vocabulary flashcards covering key prenatal, postnatal, and motor-development terms from the lecture notes.

Germinal Stage

First two weeks of prenatal development; spans conception to implantation and formation of the placenta.

Sperm (paternal gamete) + egg (maternal gamete) zygote

       Zygote inherits a unique combination of genes from both parents

Zygote

Single-cell organism created by fusion of sperm and egg; carries a unique genetic blueprint from both parents.

Implantation

Attachment of the fertilised egg to the uterine wall during the germinal stage.

Placenta

Temporary organ that connects fetus to uterine wall, enabling nutrient uptake, waste removal, and gas exchange.

Embryonic Stage

Weeks 2–8 of prenatal development marked by rapid organ and system formation and peak vulnerability to teratogens.

Formation of vital organs & systems ->Rapid organogenesis

     Greatest vulnerability to many teratogens because organs are first emerging.

• most important period in development of central nervous system and the organs

• Heart begins to beat

Organogenesis

Process of rapid organ formation occurring during the embryonic stage.

Fetal Stage

Period from week 9 to birth; characterized by body growth, movement, neurogenesis, and maturation of lungs and nervous system.

Brain cells multiply (Neurogenesis) → Age of viability, survive outside utero as lungs & nervous system mature.

• Muscular development is rapid

Age of Viability

Approximate point (about 24–25 weeks) when a fetus can survive outside the uterus with medical assistance.

Neurogenesis (prenatal)

Rapid multiplication of brain cells in the fetal stage.

Genotype

Complete genetic makeup present at conception—the individual’s DNA sequence.

●Genetic make-up (genes)

• Complete set of DNA sequences inherited ("genetic blueprint").

• Established at conception.

 

Phenotype

Observable traits produced by interaction of genotype with prenatal and postnatal environmental influences.

• Observable traits (eye colour, hair colour, height, etc.).

• Expression depends on genotype and environmental influences (prenatal + postnatal).

• Key implication: some attributes are "hard-coded," yet many remain plastic and shaped by context.

Teratogen

Any non-genetic agent (e.g., alcohol, drugs, infections) capable of disrupting normal prenatal development.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

Set of physical, cognitive, and behavioral deficits resulting from heavy maternal alcohol use during pregnancy.

• Result of maternal alcohol abuse during pregnancy.

• Classic facial features

  • Underdeveloped jaw.

  • Smooth philtrum (space between nose & upper lip).

  • Thin upper lip & short nose.

  • Overall smaller cranial circumference.

Maternal Malnutrition

Inadequate prenatal nutrition linked to growth restriction, organ defects, and premature birth.

Maternal Stress

High prenatal stress associated with attention problems and greater ADHD risk in children.

Testosteron can cause

●Deformities of face, body, limbs

●Organ defects

●Growth restriction, premature birth

●Neurological problems

●Mental problems

●Deafness, blindness

Puberty

Adolescent period of sexual maturation and rapid growth; typically 11–13 in females, ~14.5 in males.

Growth Spurt

Accelerated height and weight increase during puberty; peaks earlier in girls (~12) than boys (~14).

Menopause

Gradual end of menstrual cycles and reproductive capability in women, usually in their 40s or 50s.

Environmental influences PRENATAL (before birth/ during pregnancy)

 

Teratogen = any non-genetic agent that can disrupt normal prenatal development/harm embryo or fetus

 

Prenatal development is a crucial stage of development that can be affected adversely by teratogens:

 

●Maternal malnutrition/undernourishment

 

●Maternal illness (e.g., Rubella, Mumps, AIDS, other STIs)

 

●Substance use (e.g., tobacco, alcohol, prescription & recreational drugs)

 

Maternal stress= children have more problems with attention more to development, Associated with development of ADHD, Passed down genetic representations of PTSD

Testosterone Decline

Gradual reduction of male sex hormone levels between the 40s and 70s, with continued fertility.

Presbycusis

Age-related inability to hear high-frequency sounds.

Reflexes (neonatal)

Inborn, automatic responses to specific stimuli present at birth (about 20 in total).

Rooting Reflex

Infant turns head and opens mouth toward cheek stimulation, facilitating breastfeeding.

Disappears aper 4 months

Sucking Reflex

Automatic rhythmic sucking enabling effective feeding

4 months.

Moro Reflex

Startle response where infant extends limbs then draws them inward after sudden movement or noise.

6 moths

Stepping Reflex

Walking-like movements produced when infant’s feet touch a flat surface.

3-4 months

Grasping Reflex

Automatic closing of an infant’s hand around an object placed in the palm.

4-6 mothns

Cephalocaudal Trend

Head-to-toe sequence in which motor control emerges—head movements mastered before leg control.

Rudimentary Motor Abilities

Basic skills (reaching, crawling, sitting, standing, walking) developing roughly between 6–18 months.

Babinsky reflex

When bottom of pot is stroked, big toe bends back/dorsiflexes And the other toe spreads out

1 year disappear

Fundamental Motor Abilities

Core locomotor skills—including running, hopping, jumping, skipping, kicking, catching—developed from 18 months to 6 years.

Tonic neck reflex

When infants head is turned to one side the leg and arm on other side will extend while leg and arm on opposite side will flex

4 months disappeared

Specialized Motor Skills

Refined, task-specific movements acquired from about age 12 onward, depending on practice and interest.

MOTOR DEVELOPMENT INFANCY

Motor development follows a universal sequence

From head to toe , eg. First master movement of head then later legs

 

 

Rudimentary motor abilities (6 - 18 months)

●Reaching    Crawling    Standing        

●Throwing    Sitting        Walking

 

Fundamental motor abilities (18 months - 6 years)

●Running     Hopping    Kicking        

●Jumping     Skipping    Catching

 

Application & refinement of fundamental abilities (7 - 12 years)

 

Specialised skills (12+ years)

●Depends on area of concentration

 

Plasticity (developmental)

Capacity for traits and abilities to be modified by environmental contexts despite genetic predispositions.

Rudimentary motor abilities (6 - 18 months)

●Reaching    Crawling    Standing        

●Throwing    Sitting        Walking

 

Fundamental motor abilities (18 months - 6 years)

●Running     Hopping    Kicking        

●Jumping     Skipping    Catching

 

Specialised skills (12+ years)

●Depends on area of concentration

fundamental abilities (7 - 12 years)

Application & refinement of fundamental abilities