Prenatal Development

Prenatal Development 1. What are the three periods of prenatal development? (in order) Which is the longest? Which is the shortest?

2. How does a single zygote turn into a blastocyst? What happens differently in this process for identical twins? And how is THIS different than fraternal twins?

3. The trophoblast, the outer layer of the blastocyst is made from whose DNA? What three structures does it turn into?

4. When does the Germinal Period (“the period of the zygote”) end? (what event signals its end, and approximately when does this happen?)

5. When does the “period of the embryo” begin?

6. The placenta is a combo of ___’s DNA and ____’s DNA

7. The cells of the blastocyst start specializing. What are the first three layers that they separate into?

8. In what period of pregnancy is spina bifida a risk? What is happening in development that goes wrong? What causes this to go wrong?

9. In which period do muscles & bones grow most rapidly?

10. Which is the longest period of development?

11. Which organ is the last to mature?

12. What is the “age of viability”? When is it (approximately)?

13. Why do they sometimes calculate gestational age by the date of the mom’s last menstrual period?

14. What is a teratogen?

15. What factors determine the severity of damage and type of defect caused by teratogens?

16. Explain the graph on the slides that is labeled “Teratogens and the Timing of their Effects”

17. Young moms (under 15) and older moms (over 35) are more likely to have problematic pregnancies. We used to think this was solely due to the immaturity of the reproductive system (for young moms) or the age of reproductive systems (for older moms). What did we find actually accounted for most of the problems that these moms had?

18. How might mom’s emotional state and stress affect the fetus?

19. Can the fetus get mom’s diseases (e.g., bacteria & viruses & parasites)? 20. What is toxoplasmosis, and how can a person get it?

21. What are the effects of drinking large quantities of alcohol while pregnant? What is this syndrome called? What facial characteristics are associated with this syndrome? What happens if mom doesn’t drink on the 20th day of pregnancy?

22. What is ARND?

23. What are the effects of drinking limited quantities of alcohol? What are the differing opinions on it?

24. Nicotine constricts blood vessels. How does this relate to the fetus and the umbilical cord and placenta?

25. Can babies be born addicted to drugs?

26. What can happen if mom smokes pot during pregnancy?

27. Are all prescription drugs safe for pregnant women to take? How do you know?

28. What are the three layers of cells that develop in the embryonic period, and what is an example of a major developmental risk that happens during that time? Is the risk you m entioned preventable? Why or why not?

29. The severity of damage and type of defect caused by a teratogen depends on what 4 factors? (don’t just list, explain why they matter).

30. What are some risk factors for developing postpartum depression? What are the potential risks for the baby?

31. Apply the nature-nurture argument to motor development. What is the evidence for nature? The evidence for nurture? What does the dynamic systems approach say about it?

32. What is the story behind thalidomide?

33. Why should pregnant women avoid getting Xrays?

34. Why should pregnant women avoid sushi?

35. Which procedure uses sound waves to create a picture of the infant inside the womb?

36. How does amniocentesis work? What does it tell you about the baby?

37. How does Chorionic Villus sampling (CVS) work? What does it tell you about the baby?

38. Why are the new blood tests that I told you about so promising?

39. What are the three stages of birth? 40. Why might a doctor decide to do a cesarean delivery?

41. Explain two approaches to childbirth besides the traditional medical model.

42. What is the Apgar scale and how is it used?

43. What is a reflex (definition). How is it different than a motor milestone?

44. Define the grasping reflex, stepping reflex, rooting reflex, moro reflex and sucking reflex.

45. What’s the difference between a preterm baby and a small for gestational age baby? Which is more risky? Can a baby be both?

46. What are some potential causes and consequences of low birth weight? (the list is the same)

47. What’s the logic behind compensatory stimulation?

48. What’s the logic behind enrichment?

49. What are two examples of touch therapies?

50. What are the three layers of cells that develop in the embryonic period, and what is an example of a major developmental risk that happens during that time? Is the risk you m entioned preventable? Why or why not?

51. The severity of damage and type of defect caused by a teratogen depends on what 4 factors? (don’t just list, explain why they matter).

52. What are some risk factors for developing postpartum depression? What are the potential risks for the baby?