All Flashcards
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.
What is the effect of teratogens on prenatal development?
They can negatively affect development, causing physical abnormalities, cognitive impairments, or developmental delays.
What are the effects of heavy alcohol consumption during pregnancy?
It can cause Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), resulting in abnormal facial features, low birth weight, and developmental delays.
What is the effect of a mother's health and nutrition on the fetus?
It directly impacts the fetus, with prenatal vitamins being crucial for healthy development.
What is the effect of habituation on infant behavior?
Infants become familiar with stimuli, and their responses decrease over time, showing they are learning.
What is the effect of using neural networks frequently?
Neural networks that are frequently used are strengthened.
What is the effect of unused neural networks?
Unused neural networks shut down through pruning.
What is the effect of brain development on motor skills?
Muscle control develops as the nervous system matures.
What is the effect of the rooting reflex?
Helps find food by turning their head and opening their mouth when their cheek is touched.
What is the effect of the Moro reflex?
Startle reflex; arms and legs extend then retract (another evolutionary holdover).
What is the effect of the Babinski reflex?
Toes curl and fan out when the sole of the foot is stroked (evolutionary holdover).
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).