Unit 3 - Physical Development Across the Lifespan

Teratogens

agents, such as chemicals and viruses, that can reach the embryo or fetus during prenatal development and cause harm (fetal alcohol syndrome, drugs, AIDS, STDS, rubella, etc)

Maternal Illness

many illnesses contracted by the mother can be transmitted to the newborn.

Genetic Mutation

a permanent change in the genetic material of an organism

Developmental Norms

The normal timeline of mental and physical growth and changes that occur as an entity ages

Rooting reflex

automatic turn of head when cheek is touched

Visual Cliff

a laboratory device for testing depth perception in infants and young animals

Critical period

an optimal period early in the life of an organism when exposure to certain stimuli or experiences produces normal development

Imprinting

the process by which certain animals form strong attachments during an early-life critical period

Adolescence

refers to the transitory period from childhood to adulthood, generally beginning with puberty and extending into independent adulthood

Puberty

the physical beginnings of sexual maturity.

Primary sex characteristics

the organs needed for reproduction (ovaries in the female, testes in the male, and external genitalia).

Secondary sex characteristics

non-reproductive traits (enlargement of the hips and breasts in females, facial hair and deepening voice in males, the development of pubic and underarm hair in both females and males).

Menarche

a girl's first menstrual period, is often viewed as the biological marker indicating the beginning of adolescence.

Spermarche

is the first time a biological male ejaculates semen

Adulthood

spans most of the lifespan and is characterized by a general leveling off and then a varying decline in reproductive ability, mobility, flexibility, reaction time, and visual and auditory sensory acuity.

Menopause

the natural time in a woman's life when her menstrual cycles end.

Sex

either of the two categories (male or female) into which most organisms are divided

Gender

typed is what you learn or do in order to be masculine of feminine and it can be through your own cognitive processes, but it's often times through the observation of others