ANT 15 PAGE 5 CHECKLIST 2

Know the definition of the Theory of mind (ToM)

The ability to attribute mental states (beliefs, desires, intentions, knowledge) to oneself and others, and to understand that others may have perspectives different from one’s own.

Know how the Sally and Anne test works

A classic false-belief test. Sally places a marble in a basket and leaves. Anne moves the marble to a box. When Sally returns, children are asked where she will look. Success requires understanding that Sally holds a false belief (basket), not the actual state (box).

At what age do children start developing a ToM, on average?

around 4–5 years old.

Know that ToM development is affected by autism

ToM development is often delayed or atypical in individuals with autism, affecting social communication and perspective-taking.

Understand the Eurasian Jay experiment mentioned in class (about ToM)

Jays watch their female partners sated on one type of food and shifted their choice of food to share a desired alternative (STUDY from Ostojic etc al.)

Understand the Chimpanzee experiment mentioned in class (about ToM)

Chimps shown a human (the experimenter) activating a device (e.g., turning on a light or making a sound).

• Human used unusual body part like their head/foot

1. Human use their head/foot because their hands were busy.

2. Human use their head/foot with free hands (chimps imitated)

Understand the difference between general growth and growth velocity

• General growth: Overall increase in size/height/weight over time.

• Growth velocity: The rate of growth (cm/year), showing how fast growth occurs at different ages.

Know the shape of the growth velocity curve in mice and cows

mice —→ peak velocity just after weaning (~15-20 days), puberty follows immediately.

Growth period of cows: only takes 12-16Months

Know the shape of the growth velocity curve in humans, and know when a growth spurt is observed

Humans: Two spurts- mid childhood and adolescence.

Human growth velocity curve shows a decline after infancy, a plateau in childhood, and a sharp pubertal growth spurt before leveling off.

• Growth period of a Human lasts 12-17yrs

Define the Juvenile stage

The period after weaning and before puberty, characterized by slow growth and dependency. Humans have a prolonged juvenile stage compared to other mammals.

Why do humans grow so slowly compared to cows (and many other mammals, with a prolonged juvenile period?

Humans invest in brain development, learning, and social skills during the juvenile stage, delaying physical maturity compared to cows and other mammals.

Before 2yo, nutrition has strong influence on growth rate. After 2yo, hormones are more important.

• Before 2 years old: Nutrition strongly influences growth rate.

• After 2 years old: Hormones (growth hormone, thyroid hormone, sex steroids) become the dominant regulators.

What’s the average growth velocity in children?

• 6–8 cm/year during childhood.

At what age does production of DHEA start? Know that it’s known as “adrenarche”

around 6–8 years old, known as adrenarche.

Where are adrenal glands located?

Sit on top of the kidneys.

What hormones are produced by the medulla and the cortex of the adrenal glands?

Adrenal medulla (inside): makes adrenaline and noradrenaline.

Adrenal cortex (outside): makes cortisol, aldosterone, and sex hormones (like DHEA/testosterone/estrogen).

Puberty growth velocity peaks at 12yo in girls and 14yo in boys, on average

• Girls: Peak at ~12 years old.

• Boys: Peak at ~14 years old.

What are growth plates (-epiphyseal plates)? Where are they located?

• Definition: Cartilaginous regions at the ends of long bones where new bone growth occurs.

• Location: Found near the ends of long bones (e.g., femur, tibia, humerus). They allow bones to lengthen until they close after puberty.