Human Development: A Life-Span View - Biological Foundations

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and definitions related to biological foundations of human development, including heredity, prenatal development, and birth.

Chromosomes

Structures within cells that contain DNA and hereditary information.

Genetic Disorder

A health problem caused by one or more abnormalities in the genome.

Zygote

The fertilized egg that is formed when sperm and egg unite, typically has 46 chromosomes.

Embryo

The developing organism from the end of the zygote stage until the end of the eighth week of pregnancy.

Fetus

The developing organism from nine weeks after conception to birth.

Teratogen

An environmental agent that can cause deviations in normal development.

Phenotype

The observable physical or behavioral characteristics of an organism.

Genotype

The genetic constitution of an individual; the set of genes inherited.

Autosomes

The first 22 pairs of chromosomes, which determine most of a person's traits.

Sex Chromosomes

The 23rd pair of chromosomes that determine the biological sex of an individual, XX for females, XY for males.

Homozygous Alleles

Two identical alleles for a particular trait inherited from both parents.

Heterozygous Alleles

Two different alleles for a specific trait inherited from each parent.

Dominant Allele

An allele that expresses its trait even in the presence of a recessive allele.

Recessive Allele

An allele that only expresses its trait if both alleles are recessive.

Polygenic Inheritance

Inheritance of traits that are controlled by multiple genes.

Dizygotic Twins

Fraternal twins that result from two different eggs fertilized by two different sperm.

Monozygotic Twins

Identical twins that come from the splitting of one fertilized egg.

Prenatal Development

The process of development of the embryo and fetus during pregnancy.

Infant Mortality Rate

The number of infants who die before their first birthday per 1,000 live births.

C-Section (Cesarean Section)

A surgical procedure used to deliver a baby through incisions in the abdomen and uterus.

Postpartum Depression

A type of clinical depression that can affect women after childbirth.