Pre-Natal

Fertilization

The process where a sperm cell unites with an egg cell, resulting in the formation of a zygote. This marks the beginning of pregnancy and subsequent development of the embryo.

Assisted reproductive technology

Conception through artificial means. Includes procedures like IVF and ICSI.

Artificial insemination

Simplest form of ART in which sperm is injected into a woman’s vagina, cervix, or uterus to facilitate conception. This method is often used for couples facing infertility or single women who wish to conceive.

Dizygotic twins or Fraternal Twins

The results of two separate eggs being fertilized by two different sperm to form two unique individuals

Monozygotic twins

Cleaving of one fertilized eggs and are generally identical

Chromosomes

The functional units of heredity

Genes

Coils of DNA that consist of smaller segments

Human genome

Complete sequence of genes in the human body

Mutations

Permanent alterations in genetic materials

Autosomes

22 pairs of our chromosomes

Sex chromosomes

The 23rd pair chromosomes

Gregor Mendel

An Austrian monk, laid the foundation for our understanding of patternsof inheritance

Alleles

Genes that can produce alternative expressions of a characteristics

Homozygous

When both alleles are the same, the person is ______

Heterozygous

Characteristic when they are different

Dominant inheritance

Always expressed, or shows up as a trait in that person

Recessive inheritance

A mode of inheritance where a trait is only expressed when an individual has two copies of the recessive allele. This means that the trait does not manifest if a dominant allele is present.

Polugenic inheritance

Pattern of inheritance in which multiple genes at different sites on chromosomes affect a complex trait

Phenotype

Observable characteristics of a person

Genotype

Genetic makeup of a person, containing both expressed and unexpressed characteristics

Multifactorial transmission

Environmental experience modifies the expression of the genotype for most traits a phenomenon

Epigenesis

Mechanism that turns genes on or off and determines functions of body cells

Gestation

The period between conception and birth

Gestational age

Usually dated from the first day of an expected mother’s last menstrual cycle

Cephalocaudal principle

From Latin,, meaning “head to tail,” dictates that development proceeds from the head to the lower part of the trunk

Head, Brain, and Eyes

In Cephalocaudal Principle these are the earliest and are disproportionately large until the other parts catch up

Proximodistal Principle

Latin from “near to far”, development proceeds from parts near the center of the body to outer ones.

Germinal Stage

Fertilization to 2 Weeks

The zygote divides, become more complex, and is implanted in the wall of the uterus

3 weeks

Nervous system begins to form

4 weeks

Heart begin to beat

5 weeks

Head continues rapid growth

8 weeks

Almost all body parts are differentiated

12 weeks

Growth of head slows.

Formation of red blood cells by liver slows

14 weeks

Begin to coordinate limb movement

16 weeks

Possible to visually determine baby's sex

Ultrasound shows clearly defined bone structure

20 weeks

Possible to hear heartbeat with stethoscope

Baby covered by fine downy hair called Lanugo

Fetal movements called quickening are felt by mother

21 weeks

Rapid eye movements commence

Substantial weight gain

24 weeks

Fingernails can be ssen

28 weeks

Eyes open and close

Lungs capable of breathing

32 weeks

Skin pink and smooth

Cubby appearance

38 weeks

Nervous system can carry our some integrative functions

Reacts to light

Usually assumes upside-down positions as birth approaches

Implanation

Only about 10 to 20 percent of fertilized ova complete this task

Embryonic Stage

2 to 8 Weeks

The organs and major body systems-respiratory, digestive, and nervous-develop rapidly.

Spontaneous abortion

Commonly called a miscarriage, is the expulsion from the uterus of an embryo or fetus that is unable to survive outside the womb.

Fetal stage

8 weeks to Birth

The appearance of the first bone cells at about 8 weeks signals the beginning

During this period, the fetus grows rapidly to about 20 times its previous length, and organs and body system become more comples.

Teratogen

An environmental agent, such as a virus, a drug, or radiation, that can interfere with normal prenatal development.

Teratology

Field of study that investigates the causes of birth defects

Critical Period

A time during which developing organism is specially sensitive to environmental influences, positive or negative

Spina Bifida

Neural tube fails to close, part of spinal cord is not fully encased in the protective covering of the spinal column

Anencephaly

Lethal defect in which main portion of the brain above the brain stem failed to develop

Thalidomide

Used to relieve morning sickness during pregnancy, but caused severe birth defects.

Tobacco

Higher risks of miscarriage, prematurity, low birth weight, cleft lips, and cleft palates.

Alcohol

Disrupts the normal process of neuronal migration, leading to several outcomes depending on the severity of the effects

Fetal alcohol syndrome

Characterized by a combination of retarded growth, face and body malformations, and disorders of the central nervous system.

Cocaine

Cuases spontaneous abortion and premature detachment of the placenta.

Neonate Abstinence Syndrome

Sleep disturbance, tremors, difficulty regulating the body, irritability, crying, and etc

Toxoplasmosis

Caused by parasite in the bodies of cattle, sheep, and pigs, and in the intesitnal tracts of cats that cause fetal brain damage, severely impaired eyesight, seizures, miscarriage, etc.

Prenatal cell-free DNA Scans

Fetal DNA is extracted from the mother’s blood and tested for early detection of genetic problems

Infertility

Not being able to get pregnant even after a year of trying

Stillbirth

Miscarriage occurred after 20 weeks of gestation