Prenatal Development, Pregnancy, and Birth (Chapter 2)

Flashcards covering key concepts from prenatal development, genetics, stages of development, pregnancy, and related terms from the notes.

Where do ova reside in the female reproductive system?

In the ovaries.

What contains the mother’s genetic material in fertilization?

The ovum (egg) contains the mother’s genetic material.

What is the cervix?

The neck of the uterus.

Name two male reproductive structures listed in the notes.

Testes and penis.

What occurs during ovulation?

The ovum is released from the ovary and moves into the fallopian tube.

What is fertilization?

The fusion of a sperm and ovum; nuclei of male and female cells combine.

Define uterus.

The organ that houses the developing fetus.

Define fallopian tube.

The tube through which the ovum travels from the ovary to the uterus; site of fertilization.

Define ovary.

The organ that produces eggs (ova).

Define ovum.

A mature egg cell that contains the mother’s genetic material and can be fertilized.

Define hormones.

Chemical messengers that regulate body processes and support pregnancy.

What is a chromosome?

Located in the nucleus; threadlike strand of DNA carrying genes and transmitting genetic information.

What is DNA?

Material that makes up genes and bears hereditary characteristics.

What is a gene?

A segment of DNA containing a blueprint for manufacturing a particular protein.

What is a karyotype?

A map of human chromosomes used to determine sex and detect chromosomal abnormalities.

How can you tell if a karyotype is male or female?

Presence of XY indicates male; XX indicates female.

What is the Germinal Stage?

First two weeks after fertilization; includes zygote, morula, blastocyst, and implantation.

What is a zygote?

Fertilized ovum; the first cell after fertilization.

What is a morula?

A solid ball of cells formed after rapid cell divisions following fertilization.

What is a blastocyst?

A hollow ball of cells with an inner cell mass that implants in the uterus.

What is implantation?

The blastocyst attaches to and embeds in the uterine wall.

What is the Embryonic Stage?

Weeks 3-8; major organs form.

What forms by 20-24 days in the Embryonic Stage?

The neural tube forms and differentiates into brain and spinal cord.

What is the Fetal Stage?

Weeks 9 to birth; growth and refinement of body structures; brain development continues.

What builds the brain during the fetal stage and what cells ascend to the neural tube?

Neurons; they ascend to the neural tube and begin to differentiate to form the brain.

What is the age of viability?

About 22 weeks.

What are the placenta, amniotic sac, and umbilical cord?

Placenta nourishes the fetus; amniotic sac surrounds the fetus with amniotic fluid; umbilical cord connects fetus to placenta.

What is gestation?

The length of pregnancy, about 267-277 days.

How many trimesters are in pregnancy and roughly how long is each?

Three trimesters; about 3 months each.

What is human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)?

A hormone produced after implantation; detected by pregnancy tests.

What is quickening?

The first movements of the fetus felt by the mother.

What are the first-trimester miscarriage statistics mentioned?

About 1 in 10 pregnancies end in miscarriage.

What are some negative and positive forces for dads during pregnancy?

Negative: financial stress and relationship concerns; Positive: involvement and bonding with the baby.