All Flashcards
What is a zygote?
A fertilized egg cell.
What is the placenta?
The outer cells of the zygote that provide nourishment and oxygen to the developing embryo/fetus.
What is an embryo?
The developing human organism after the zygote attaches to the uterine wall.
What is a fetus?
The developing human organism from nine weeks until birth.
What are teratogens?
Harmful substances (viruses, drugs) that can negatively affect prenatal development.
What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)?
A condition caused by heavy alcohol consumption during pregnancy, resulting in abnormal facial features, low birth weight, and developmental delays.
What is habituation?
The process by which infants become familiar with stimuli, and their responses decrease over time.
What is the rooting reflex?
The reflex that causes a newborn to turn their head and open their mouth when their cheek is touched.
What is the Moro reflex?
Also known as the startle reflex, it involves the baby throwing out their arms and legs and then bringing them back in.
What is maturation?
Orderly physical and cognitive development.
What is pruning in brain development?
The process by which neural networks that are frequently used are strengthened, while unused ones shut down.
What is infantile amnesia?
The lack of memory for events before age 3.
How can FAS be prevented?
By avoiding alcohol during pregnancy.
How is habituation observed in newborns?
Infants become familiar with stimuli, and their responses decrease over time, showing they are learning.
How is the rooting reflex helpful for newborns?
It helps them find food by turning their head and opening their mouth when their cheek is touched.
How does neural development foster physical development?
Muscle control develops as the nervous system matures.
How does the brain prioritize development in infancy?
Reflexive functions develop first, followed by higher-level processing in the cerebrum and forebrain.
How can understanding infantile amnesia help parents?
It helps them understand why children may not remember events from their early childhood.
How does a mother's voice affect the fetus?
Fetuses can hear and become accustomed to their mother's voice, showing preference after birth.
How does the sucking reflex help newborns?
Enables drawing milk or fluids into the mouth.
How does the Moro reflex help newborns?
Startle reflex; arms and legs extend then retract (another evolutionary holdover).
How does the Babinski reflex help newborns?
Toes curl and fan out when the sole of the foot is stroked (evolutionary holdover).
What is the significance of the placenta in prenatal development?
It provides nourishment and oxygen to the developing embryo/fetus.
Why are prenatal vitamins important?
They ensure the mother's health and nutrition, which directly impact the fetus's development.
Why are newborns more interested in human voices and faces?
They are wired for social interaction.
What does the presence and disappearance of newborn reflexes indicate?
Healthy neurological development.
How does brain development proceed in infants?
Brain develops from the brainstem forward. Reflexive functions develop first, followed by higher-level processing.
What is the role of neural networks in brain development?
Crucial for learning; they are strengthened through use and pruned when unused.
What is the significance of motor development being fairly universal?
Babies learn to roll over, sit, crawl, and walk at similar ages, regardless of culture.
What is the significance of the Babinski reflex?
Toes curl and fan out when the sole of the foot is stroked (evolutionary holdover).
What is the significance of the Sucking reflex?
Enables drawing milk or fluids into the mouth.
What is the significance of the Swallowing and Breathing reflex?
Essential for survival and are innate reflexes.