Developmental Psychology: Heredity, Prenatal, Childbirth

Flashcards covering vocabulary from the lecture notes on Developmental Psychology, Heredity, Prenatal Development, and Childbirth.

Fertilization

The process by which sperm and ovum combine to create a single cell called a zygote.

Ovulation

Rupture of mature follicle in either ovary and expulsion of its ovum which occurs every month until menopause

Dizygotic Twins

Also known as Fraternal Twins resulting from two separate eggs being fertilized by two different sperms. Can be same or different sex and may have genetic basis.

Monozygotic Twins

Twins resulted from the cleaving of one fertilized egg and are generally genetically identical

Heredity

Genetic transmission of heritable characteristics from parents to offspring

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

Long, spiraling ladder whose steps are made of pairs of chemical units called bases (Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine, Guanine)

Chromosomes

Coils of DNA of smaller segments called genes

Mitosis

Cell division of non-sex cells

Meiosis

Cell division of sex cells

Mutation

Mistake in copying genetic code which creates permanent alteration in genetic material

Autosomes

Not affiliated to sexual expression

Sex Chromosomes

23rd pair which indicates the baby’s sex (XX, female: XY, male)

Alleles

Produce alternative expressions of characteristics

Homozygous

If two alleles are the same

Heterozygous

If two alleles are different

Dominant

Allele that is always expressed or shows up as a trait in that person

Recessive

Usually doesn’t show unless paired with another recessive trait

Polygenetic Inheritance

Interaction of several genes

Phenotype

Observable characteristics

Genotype

Underlying genetic makeup

Epigenesis

Environment can influence when and which genes turn on and off

Down Syndrome

Chromosomal abnormality with an extra copy of chromosome 21

Klinefelter Syndrome

Chromosomal abnormality with an extra X Chromosome (XXY)

Fragile X Syndrome

Chromosomal abnormality in X chromosome causes ID

Turner Syndrome

Chromosomal abnormality where there is a missing X chromosome for females

XXY Syndrome

Chromosomal abnormality where there is an extra Y chromosome

Cystic Fibrosis

Gene-linked abnormality with an overproduction of mucus in the lungs and digestive tract

Diabetes

Gene-linked abnormality where the body does not produce enough insulin

Hemophilia

Gene-linked abnormality that is a delayed in blood clotting

Huntington’s Disease

Gene-linked abnormality where the CNS deteriorates producing problem in muscles and mental decline

Phenylketonuria

Gene-linked abnormality with a build-up of Phenylalanine in the body

Sickle-Cell Anemia

Gene-linked abnormality that limits body oxygen supply

Spina Bifida

Gene-linked abnormality with an incompletely closed spinal canal

Tay-Sachs Disease

Gene-linked abnormality with an accumulation of lipids in the NS

Anencephaly

Gene-linked abnormality where there is an absence of brain tissue

Polycystic Kidney Disease

Gene-linked abnormality where there are enlarged kidneys

Alpha antitrypsin Deficiency

Gene-linked abnormality that causes Cirrhosis of the liver in early infancy

Alpha Thalassemia

Gene-linked abnormality with severe Anemia; nearly all die soon after birth

Beta Thalassemia (Cooley’s Anemia)

Gene-linked abnormality with severe Anemia; fatal in adolescence or young adulthood

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Gene-linked abnormality where males have muscle weakness, minor mental retardation

Carriers

Carry one bad copy of recessive gene and one good one

Genotype-Environment Interaction

Effects of similar environment conditions on genetically different individuals

Genotype-Environment Correlation

Environment often reinforces genetic differences

Passive Correlations

Parents tend to provide environment that encourages the development of that trait

Reactive or Evocative

Children with differing genetic makeups evoke different reactions from others, other people react to the children’s genetic makeup

Active

Actively selects or create experiences consistent with their genetic tendencies

Niche-Picking

Tendency to seek out environments compatible with one’s genotype

Nonshared Environmental Effects

Result from the unique environment in which each child in a family grows up

Infertility

Inability to conceive a child

In Vitro Fertilization

Eggs and sperm are combined in a laboratory dish

Ultrasound Sonography

Prenatal diagnostic test where high frequency sound waves are directed into the pregnant woman’s abdomen to detect abnormalities, no. of fetuses, and sex

Fetal MRI

Prenatal diagnostic test that uses powerful magnet and radio images to generate detailed images of the body’s organs and structures

Chorionic Villus Sampling

Prenatal diagnostic test where a small sample of placenta is removed

Amniocentesis

Prenatal diagnostic test where a sample of amniotic fluid is withdrawn and tested for chromosomal and metabolic disorders

Maternal Blood Screening

Prenatal diagnostic test that identifies pregnancies that have an elevated risk for birth defects

Gestation

Period between conception and birth (between 37 and 41 weeks)

Gestational Age

Dated from the first day of an expectant mother’s last menstrual cycle

Cephalocaudal Principle

Development proceeds from head to the lower extremities

Proximodistal

Development proceeds from the center to outer parts of the body

Germinal Stage

From fertilization to about 2 weeks of gestational age

Blastocyst

Fluid-filled sphere which floats freely in the uterus until 6th day after fertilization then it implants itself in the uterine wall

Trophoblast

Outer layer of cells that later provides nutrition and support for the embryo

Ectoderm

Outer layer that becomes outer layers of skin, nails, hair, teeth, sensory organs, and the nervous system

Endoderm

Inner layer that becomes digestive system

Mesoderm

Middle layer that becomes inner layers of skin, muscles, skeleton, and excretory and circulatory systems

Amniotic Sacs

Encloses the developing embryo, protecting it and giving it a room and grow

Placenta

Allows oxygen, nourishment, and wastes to pass between mother and embryo

Umbilical Cord

Connects the embryo to the placenta

Embryonic Period

From 2 to 8 weeks (First 2 months)

Organogenesis

Major body systems (respiratory, digestive, and nervous system) develop.

Critical Period

Most vulnerable to destructive influences

Spontaneous Abortion (Miscarriage)

Expulsion from the uterus of an embryo that is unable to survive outside the womb

Stillbirth

Miscarriage occurred after 20 weeks of gestation (approx. 5 months)

Fetal Period

From 8 weeks to Birth

Teratogen

Environmental agent that can interfere with normal prenatal development

Teratology

Field of study that investigates the causes of birth defects

Neonate Abstinence Syndrome

Sleep disturbance, tremors, difficulty regulating the body, irritability, crying and etc. in babies born with drug-addicted mothers.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Characterized by a combination of retarded growth, face and body malformations, and disorders of the central nervous system

Parturition

Series of uterine, cervical, and other changes which begins 2 weeks before the delivery

Braxton-Hicks Contractions

False contractions

Midwifery

Profession that provides health care to women during pregnancy, birth, and even postpartum period

Doula

Caregiver who provides continuous physical, emotional, and educational support for the mother before, during, and after childbirth

Electronic Fetal Monitoring

Used to track the fetus’ heartbeat during labor and delivery and to indicate how the fetal heart is responding to the stress of uterine contractions

Analgesia

Pain reliever such as tranquilizers, barbiturates, and narcotics

Anesthesia

Used in the late first stage labor and during delivery to block sensation in an area of the body or to block consciousness

Epidural Block

Regional anesthesia that blocks the lower part of the body

Pudendal Block

Vaginal anesthesia

Oxytocin

Hormone that promotes contraction (Pitocin)

Natural Childbirth

Method that aims to reduce the mother’s pain by decreasing her fear by providing information about childbirth and teaching her and her partner to use breathing methods and relaxation techniques during delivery

Bradley Method

Husbands as coaches, relation for easier birth and prenatal nutrition and exercise

Prepared Childbirth or Lamaze method

Special breathing technique to control pushing in the final stages of labor

Vaginal Delivery

Usual childbirth which has benefits such as surge of hormones that clear the lungs and excess fluid, mobilize stored fuel to nourish cells, and send blood to the heart and brain

Cesarean Delivery

Baby is removed from the mother’s uterus through an incision made in her abdomen which is performed if the baby is lying crosswise, if the baby’s head is too large, complications, or if the mother is bleeding internally

Breech Position

Baby’s buttocks are the first part to emerge from the vagina which can cause respiratory problems

APGAR Scale

Widely used to assess the health of newborns at 1-5 mins after birth

Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale

Performed within 24-36 hrs after birth to assess neurological development, reflexes, and reactions

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Assessment of the newborn’s behavior, neurological and stress response, and regulatory capacities

Newborn Screening for Medical Conditions

Check for rare genetic, hormone-related, and metabolic conditions that can cause serious health problems

Fontanels

Where the bones of the skull don’t meet

Lanugo

Fuzzy prenatal hair