Elem Psych - Chapter 3

Three major issues

Nature and Nurture, Continuity and Stages, and Stability and Change

Genes

Biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes and are segments of DNA

Heredity

genetic transfer of characteristics from parents to offspring

Genome

Complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism’s chromosomes

• IT STARTS AT THE PORT CONCEPTION

Epigenetics

Study of molecular ways by which environments can influence gene expression (without a DNA change)

• beyond the genome. it can influence if the genes express

Epigenetic marks

molecules that trigger or block genetic expression

Stages of prenatal development

Germinal, Embryonic, Fetal

Germinal stage

Conception to two weeks

• Zygote

• Blastocyst

Zygote

a fertilized egg

Embryonic Stage

2-8 weeks

Embryo

Fetal Stage

9th week and until birth

Fetus

Prenatal Development

Conception to days before birth

What becomes the central nervous system?

Neural tube

What is the one mineral that is critical in developing CNS

Folic acid

Teratogen

An agent, such as a chemical or virus, that can reach the embryo or fetus during prenatal development and cause harm

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Physical anomalies and cognitive deficits in children caused by heavy prenatal alcohol exposure

What is the example that Julie did for teretogens?

Thalidomide

Thalidomide

• It was a drug in Europe that was given to women to treat morning sickness

Monozygotic

Identical

Dizygotic

Fraternal

Reflexes

Automatic patterns of motor responses that are triggered by specific types of sensory stimulation

Maturation

Biological growth processes (brain and body) leading to orderly changes in behavior

What does maturation set?

Sets the basic course of development, but experience can influence!

Brain development

Neural networks develop rapidly after birth; environment and input matters