Heredity, Prenatal Development, and Birth Flashcards

Comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to heredity, genetic disorders, prenatal development stages, teratogens, and childbirth from the lecture.

Gene

A specific sequence of nucleotides that serves as a recipe for making proteins and acts as the basic building block of the nature perspective.

Mitosis

The process by which a cell's nucleus makes an exact copy of all chromosomes and splits into two new cells.

Meiosis

The process in which a gamete's chromosomes duplicate and divide twice, resulting in four cells containing half the genetic material of the original gamete.

Autosomes

The 22 pairs of chromosomes created at conception that are similar in length.

Genotype

The sum total of all the genes an individual inherits.

Phenotype

The physical features and characteristics of an individual that are actually expressed.

Alleles

Different versions of a specific gene.

Homozygous

The genetic condition of receiving the exact same version of a gene from both mother and father.

Heterozygous

The genetic condition of receiving a different version of a gene from each parent.

Dominant Gene

A gene version that expresses itself in the phenotype even when paired with a different version of the gene.

Recessive Gene

A gene version that expresses itself in the phenotype only when paired with a similar version gene.

Polygenic

Refers to characteristics that are influenced by the combined result of several genes rather than a single gene.

Incomplete Dominance

An inheritance pattern in which a dominant gene does not completely suppress a recessive gene.

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)

A recessive genetic disorder in which red blood cells are shaped like a sickle (C-shaped), impairing the blood's ability to transport oxygen.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF)

A recessive disorder affecting breathing and digestion caused by thick, sticky mucus building up in the body, particularly the lungs and digestive system.

Phenylketonuria (PKU)

A metabolic recessive disorder in which the body cannot metabolize the amino acid phenylalanine, leading to intellectual deficits if untreated.

Tay Sachs Disease

A recessive disorder caused by an enzyme deficiency resulting in lipid accumulation in brain nerve cells, causing progressive damage and death typically by age five.

Albinism

A recessive condition where an individual lacks melanin and possesses little to no pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes.

Huntington's Disease

An autosomal dominant disorder affecting the nervous system that damages brain nerve cells and affects movement, behavior, and cognition; it is fatal and occurs at midlife.

Tourette Syndrome

An autosomal dominant tic disorder resulting in uncontrollable motor and vocal tics as well as body jerking.

Achondroplasia

An autosomal dominant condition that is the most common form of disproportionate short stature caused by abnormal bone growth.

Fragile X Syndrome

A sex-linked disorder caused by an abnormality where the X chromosome breaks, preventing sufficient protein production for brain growth.

Hemophilia

A sex-linked disorder caused by blood clotting problems, resulting in internal and external bleeding.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

A sex-linked disorder involving progressive muscle weakness that leads to inability to move, muscle wasting, and possible death.

Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21)

A chromosomal abnormality caused by an extra 21st chromosome, leading to intellectual disability, characteristic facial features, and heart defects.

Turner Syndrome

A sex-linked chromosomal disorder occurring in females when all or part of an X chromosome is lost (XO composition), affecting cognitive functioning and sexual maturation.

Klinefelter Syndrome

A sex-linked chromosomal disorder (XXY composition) where an extra X chromosome in a male inhibits male genital development, leading to low testosterone, small testes, and infertility.

Genetic Counseling

A service that assists individuals in identifying, testing for, and understanding potential genetic conditions that could affect themselves or their offspring.

Behavioral Genetics

The scientific study of the interplay between genetic and environmental contributions to behavior.

Passive Genotype-Environment Correlation

Process occurring when children passively inherit both the genes and the environments provided by their family.

Evocative Genotype-Environment Correlation

Process where the social environment reacts to individuals based on their inherited characteristics.

Active Genotype-Environment Correlation

Process where individuals seek out environments that support their genetic tendencies, also known as niche picking.

Epigenetics

The study of modifications in DNA that affect gene expression and are passed on during cell division.

Blastocyst

A hollow, fluid-filled ball of cells formed by the fourth day post-fertilization consisting of an inner embryonic disk and outer trophoblast.

Cephalocaudal Development

The pattern of growth during prenatal development that proceeds from head to tail.

Proximodistal Development

The pattern of growth during prenatal development that proceeds from the midline outward.

Neurogenesis

The formation of new neurons, which is largely completed after five months of gestation.

Myelin

A white fatty substance covering axons that forms white matter and enhances the insulation and efficiency of neural transmission.

Teratology

The scientific study of factors that contribute to birth defects.

Teratogens

Environmental factors—such as maternal diseases, pollutants, drugs, and alcohol—that can cause damage during the prenatal period.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)

An umbrella term for the range of physical and developmental effects caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Toxoplasmosis

An infection caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii that presents an environmental risk during pregnancy.

Ultrasound

A prenatal screening procedure that uses sound waves to examine the fetus.

Amniocentesis

A procedure in which a needle is used to withdraw amniotic fluid and cells from the gestational sac surrounding the fetus for testing.

Chorionic Villus Sampling

A prenatal diagnostic procedure in which a small sample of cells is taken directly from the placenta for testing.

Epidural Block

A regional analgesic administered during labor to alleviate lower body pain without slowing labor.

Cesarean Section (C-section)

Surgical delivery of a baby through incisions made in the mother's abdomen.

Apgar Scoring System

A standardized assessment evaluating a newborn's muscle tone, pulse, reflex irritability, skin color, and respiration on a scale from 0 to 2 points per indicator.

Anoxia

A temporary lack of oxygen to the brain during birth.

Preterm Baby

A newborn born prior to completing 37 weeks of gestation.

Small-for-Date

Infants whose birth weights are below expectations relative to their gestational age.

Postpartum Depression

A type of depression that occurs during pregnancy or in the 4 weeks following childbirth, also known as peripartum onset of depression.