Myers PSYCHOLOGY 9th Edition in Modules

1. Myers PSYCHOLOGY (9th Edition in Modules) Module 13 Prenatal Development and the Newborn

2. Developmental Psychology branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive and social change throughout the life span Researchers who focus on the importance of experience/learning tend to see development as a slow, continuous process. Researchers who focus on biology/genes tend to see development as a sequence of genetically predetermined stages or steps through which everyone passes in the same sequence (although the timing may differ)

3. Where do babies come from? The stork brings them I’ve really been wondering about that. Well, when 2 people meet at Cattle Annie’s…. This is a matter of bees and birds.

4. Prenatal Development and the Newborn The ovum is 85,000 times bigger than the sperm cell. Of the approx. 300 to 350 million cells deposited during an act of intercourse, only about 200 make it the egg. The release enzymes that eat away the egg’s protective coating, allowing one to enter. As soon as that sperm begins to penetrate, the egg changes its membrane to block out any others. Fingerlike projections sprout around the sperm and pull it in. Within half a day, the nucleus of the egg and sperm fuse.The ovum is 85,000 times bigger than the sperm cell. Of the approx. 300 to 350 million cells deposited during an act of intercourse, only about 200 make it the egg. The release enzymes that eat away the egg’s protective coating, allowing one to enter. As soon as that sperm begins to penetrate, the egg changes its membrane to block out any others. Fingerlike projections sprout around the sperm and pull it in. Within half a day, the nucleus of the egg and sperm fuse.

5. Prenatal Development Zygote the fertilized egg enters a 2 week period of rapid cell division develops into an embryo Embryo the developing human organism from 2 weeks through 2nd month Fetus the developing human organism from 9 weeks after conception to birth By the fourth day, 60 or 70 cells form a hollow, fluid-filled blastocyst. The zygote begins when the ovum is penetrated by a sperm. Over the next 30 hours, it divides once, and then divides more rapidly over the next two weeks. The cells on the inside of this ball will become the organism; the cells on the outside will become the placenta and supporting structures. Cell differentiation begins to occur during this period and scientists do not know what guides this amazing process. Fewer than half of all zygotes survive through the first two weeks. EMBRYO: from the 2nd to the 8th week – after the zygote has burrowed into the uterine wall. During this period, the most rapid changes occur, with the nervous system developing fastest at first (this is why the organism is so sensitive during this time). The heart begins to pump blood, muscles, backbone, ribs, and digestive tract start to appear. By one month, the embryo consists of millions of different cells specialized for various functions and is ¼ inch long. By two months, ears, nose, jaw, neck, arms, legs, fingers and toes appear and the embryo can move, is 1 inch long and weighs ½ ounce, and responds to touch. FETUS: The period of the fetus is one of growth and finishing of all major body systems. Between 22 and 16 weeks, the fetus reaches the age of viability, when it has a 50/50 chance of survival if born. By 24 weeks, the fetus has most of the neurons it will ever have and can feel pain. During the eight month, the fetus gains ½ pound a week, eventually shifting into a head-down position to prepare for birth (with a maturing respiratory system and antibodies from the mother.) By the fourth day, 60 or 70 cells form a hollow, fluid-filled blastocyst. The zygote begins when the ovum is penetrated by a sperm. Over the next 30 hours, it divides once, and then divides more rapidly over the next two weeks. The cells on the inside of this ball will become the organism; the cells on the outside will become the placenta and supporting structures. Cell differentiation begins to occur during this period and scientists do not know what guides this amazing process. Fewer than half of all zygotes survive through the first two weeks. EMBRYO: from the 2nd to the 8th week – after the zygote has burrowed into the uterine wall. During this period, the most rapid changes occur, with the nervous system developing fastest at first (this is why the organism is so sensitive during this time). The heart begins to pump blood, muscles, backbone, ribs, and digestive tract start to appear. By one month, the embryo consists of millions of different cells specialized for various functions and is ¼ inch long. By two months, ears, nose, jaw, neck, arms, legs, fingers and toes appear and the embryo can move, is 1 inch long and weighs ½ ounce, and responds to touch. FETUS: The period of the fetus is one of growth and finishing of all major body systems. Between 22 and 16 weeks, the fetus reaches the age of viability, when it has a 50/50 chance of survival if born. By 24 weeks, the fetus has most of the neurons it will ever have and can feel pain. During the eight month, the fetus gains ½ pound a week, eventually shifting into a head-down position to prepare for birth (with a maturing respiratory system and antibodies from the mother.)

6. Which of the following babies is the oldest? Jordan, who is a blastocyst. Nell, who has reached the age of viability. Horace, who is more sensitive to teratogens at this stage than at any other stage. Yolanda, who is a zygote.

7. Prenatal Development and the Newborn 40 days 45 days 2 months 4 months

8. Cell differentiation begins when the prenatal organism is a(n): A. zygote. B. fetus. C. embryo. D. single cell.

9. Prenatal Development and the Newborn Teratogens agents, such as chemicals and viruses, that can reach the embryo or fetus during prenatal development and cause harm Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) physical and cognitive abnormalities in children caused by a pregnant woman’s heavy drinking symptoms include facial misproportions

10. Prenatal Risks I Alcohol: No amount of alcohol is safe. Can cause mental retardation, learning disorders and retarded growth and fetal alcohol syndrome. Smoking: Can cause decreased birth weight, increased risk of miscarriage and still birth, and may also interfere with cognitive development in early childhood Alcohol: binge drinking is especially likely to cause FAS. Sx of FAS include smaller head size, facial deformities, irritability, hyperactivity, retarded motor and mental development, heart defects, limb and joint abnormalities, feeding problems, and short attention spans. Smoking: smoking is decreasing but is increasing in other countries – and the proportion of female smokers is increasing. Smoking increases the amount of CO2 in the mother’s blood, carrying this harmful substance (instead of O2) to the baby. 2nd hand smoke may also harm the baby. Fewer than 10% of babies in the U.S. have mental or physical problems resulting from environmental dangers.Alcohol: binge drinking is especially likely to cause FAS. Sx of FAS include smaller head size, facial deformities, irritability, hyperactivity, retarded motor and mental development, heart defects, limb and joint abnormalities, feeding problems, and short attention spans. Smoking: smoking is decreasing but is increasing in other countries – and the proportion of female smokers is increasing. Smoking increases the amount of CO2 in the mother’s blood, carrying this harmful substance (instead of O2) to the baby. 2nd hand smoke may also harm the baby. Fewer than 10% of babies in the U.S. have mental or physical problems resulting from environmental dangers.

11. Prenatal Risks II Teratogens: Factors in the environment that can harm the developing embryo or fetus Infectious agents: Some viruses, such as rubella, herpes or HIV and some bacteria or parasites, such as toxoplasmosis Prescription and over-the counter drugs: Excessive use of aspirin can harm the circulatory system. Caffeine can slow growth, contribute to premature birth and increased irritability Cocaine: Can cause premature birth, brain lesions, impaired sensory functioning, increased irritability, heart deformities, etc. Although the zygote (during the first two weeks after conception) is usually not susceptible to teratogens because implantation has not yet occurred, the first trimester is the most sensitive period of development, as major body systems are developing. Generally, exposure to teratogens during the period of the zygote results in spontaneous abortion. Although the mother and baby’s blood does not mix, they come into close proximity in the placenta, and certain substances (like some viruses such as rubella (German measles), herpes, HIV or certain bacteria such as toxoplasmosis, which may be transmitted through raw or undercooked meat or from contact with the feces of infected cats-or other teratogens, discussed next) can harm the physical or psychological development of the baby. Infectious agents: German measles can cause blindness, deafness, and heart disease for the baby if contracted by the mother during the first four weeks of pregnancy. Genital herpes is usually transmitted during birth and may cause paralysis, brain damage, blindness, deafness or death. HIV may be transmitted prior to birth or during the birth process, and usually results in death during the first year. 20% of infected mothers pass HIV to baby. Although the zygote (during the first two weeks after conception) is usually not susceptible to teratogens because implantation has not yet occurred, the first trimester is the most sensitive period of development, as major body systems are developing. Generally, exposure to teratogens during the period of the zygote results in spontaneous abortion. Although the mother and baby’s blood does not mix, they come into close proximity in the placenta, and certain substances (like some viruses such as rubella (German measles), herpes, HIV or certain bacteria such as toxoplasmosis, which may be transmitted through raw or undercooked meat or from contact with the feces of infected cats-or other teratogens, discussed next) can harm the physical or psychological development of the baby. Infectious agents: German measles can cause blindness, deafness, and heart disease for the baby if contracted by the mother during the first four weeks of pregnancy. Genital herpes is usually transmitted during birth and may cause paralysis, brain damage, blindness, deafness or death. HIV may be transmitted prior to birth or during the birth process, and usually results in death during the first year. 20% of infected mothers pass HIV to baby.

12. Prenatal Development and the Newborn Rooting Reflex tendency to open mouth, and search for nipple when touched on the cheek Habituation decreasing responsiveness with repeated stimulation (getting used to a stimulus and showing less response to it) We use habituation to study infant’s perceptual abilities. When they notice a change in a stimulus, they will show increased response (dishabituation) in their heart rates and blood pressure, for example. Parents are predisposed to find their baby’s cry unpleasant – ensures that the baby will get his/her needs met.Parents are predisposed to find their baby’s cry unpleasant – ensures that the baby will get his/her needs met.

13. Prenatal Development and the Newborn Preferences human voices and faces face-like images--> smell and sound of mother preferred We are born preferring sights and sounds that promote social responsiveness. Newborns gaze longer at face-like images and turn our heads in the direction of human voices. A week old nursing baby placed between a gauze pad from its mothers nursing bra and one from another nursing bra, will usually turn toward the smell of its own mother’s pad (106). At 3 weeks, given a pacifier that sometimes turns on recording of its mother’s voice and sometime that of a female stranger’s, an infant will suck more vigorously when it hears its now-familiar mother’s voice.We are born preferring sights and sounds that promote social responsiveness. Newborns gaze longer at face-like images and turn our heads in the direction of human voices. A week old nursing baby placed between a gauze pad from its mothers nursing bra and one from another nursing bra, will usually turn toward the smell of its own mother’s pad (106). At 3 weeks, given a pacifier that sometimes turns on recording of its mother’s voice and sometime that of a female stranger’s, an infant will suck more vigorously when it hears its now-familiar mother’s voice.