Chapter 2 - Biological Beginnings KEY TERMS

PSY 2314 UTD

Active (Niche-picking) GxE correlation

Correlation found that of which a child seeks their preferred environment based on their predetermined interests (reflecting their traits)

adoption study

Analysis of which behavior and traits an adopted child exerts; whether the child is more like that of their adoptive parents or their biological parents

Apgar Scale

This is a measurement used to assess the health and condition of a newborn baby 2-5 minutes after birth, which is scored between numbers 1 and 10

behavior genetics

How much our genes and our environment influence our individual differences

bonding

a newborn's sense of connectedness to its mother in infancy, exerted through touch (such as hugging or holding the infant)

chromosomes

threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes

DNA

Double-stranded double helix nucleic acid found in the nucleus, that of which holds the genetic code in the chromosomes

doula

A caregiver providing physical and mental help to a mother, that of which is present before during and after birth

Down syndrome

Condition of intellectual disability and physical deformations as a result of missing their 21st chromosome

embryonic period

second period in the prenatal period, characterized by rapid cell division and organogenesis (2-8 weeks)

epigenetic view

development is the result of an ongoing, bidirectional interchange between heredity and environment

evocative GxE correlation

Type of correlation stating the child receives stimulation from the environment based on their traits and behaviors they exude

evolutionary psychology

the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection and biological processes

fertilization

Process in sexual reproduction in which male and female reproductive cells join to form a new cell, called a zygote

fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

disorder affecting babies in physical and cognitive ways as a result of excessive drinking by the mother during pregnancy

fetal period

The last and longest period of the prenatal period, characterized by finished (and finishing) organs and slowly growing in weight (2 Months-birth)

fragile X syndrome

a disorder produced by injury to a gene on the X chromosome, producing mild to moderate mental retardation

Gene x Environment interaction

the interaction of a specific measured variation in the DNA and a specific measured aspect of the environment, epigenetic view

genes

DNA segments that serve as the key functional units in hereditary transmission.

genotype

makeup of an organism at the genetic level; what genes are objectively in our DNA

germinal period

first period in prenatal period characterized by rapid cell division and a fertilized egg, that of which is working on the specialized cells for the zygote (conception-2weeks)

kangaroo care

Treatment for infants that involves having the infant strapped to the mother bare chest, emphasizing on the skin-to-skin contact

klinefelter syndrome (XXY)

an extra X chromosome causes physical abnormalities found in males, seen by underdeveloped sex organs, breast development, tall, large hands, etc.

low birth weight infants

An infant that weighs less than 5.5 lbs at birth. Can be a result of different teratogens or prebirth

meiosis

Cell division that produces reproductive cells in sexually reproducing organisms (testes/ovaries)

mitosis

Cell division in which the nucleus divides into two nuclei containing the same number of chromosomes with an end result of two identical cells.

natural childbirth

Process of birth in which no drugs are used to ease pain, and breathing exercises are utilized to help the woman through the pain

neurons

nerve cells that store and transmit information through the brain

organogenesis

formation of organs beginning during the embryonic period in which a zygote becomes an embryo

passive GxE correlation

Correlation found in which a child grows up with a trait found prominent in their parents, which allows them to grow up surrounded by support and reinforcement of that trait

phenotype

The different physical characteristics of an organism

phenylketonuria (PKU)

a disorder related to a defective recessive gene on chromosome 12 that prevents metabolism of phenylalanine

postpartum depression

a new mother's feelings of inadequacy and sadness in the days and weeks after giving birth

postpartum period

the period of adjustment for the mother after birth in which her body reverts back to her pre-pregnant self, typically taking about 6 weeks to recover

prepared childbirth

method of childbirth that uses instruction, breathing exercises, and social support to induce controlled physical responses to uterine contractions and reduce fear and pain

preterm infants

infants born several weeks or more before their due date

sickle-cell anemia

a genetic disorder that causes abnormal hemoglobin, resulting in some red blood cells assuming an abnormal sickle shape (found prominently in some African countries)

small for date infants

infants whose birth weight is below their expected weight considering the length of the pregnancy

teratogen

any damaging factor that could affect the embryo, alcohol being an example

Turner syndrome

A chromosomal disorder in females in which either an X chromosome is missing, making the person XO instead of XX, or part of one X chromosome is deleted.

twin study

studies on their behaviors twins exude, whether its with each other, the similarities/differences between them, and how they react when separated

XYY syndrome

A chromosomal disorder in which males have an extra Y chromosome. No intellectual disability is associated but extra tall height is usually a symptom

zygote

the fertilized egg; it enters a 2-week period of rapid cell division and develops into an embryo