Transcript AP Psych Chpt 11 Sct 1

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
ACROSS THE LIFE SPAN
2 THEMES: TRANSITION AND CONTINUITY
DEVELOPMENT
 DEF: sequence of age-related changes that occur as a
person progresses from conception to death
 Fairly orderly
 Cumulative
 Both biological and behavioral changes
PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT
 Development begins with conception---fertilization
creating a zygote
 Prenatal period ends at birth
GERMINAL STAGE
 1. Germinal stage: 1st phase; 1st 2 weeks after




conception
Begins w/creation of zygote
Within 36 hours: rapid cell division
7th day: cell mass begins implanting to uterine wall
Placenta forms
EMBRYONIC STAGE
 DEF: 2nd stage; starts at 2 weeks and ends after 2nd
month
 Most vital organs and bodily systems begin to form
 Very vulnerable---most miscarriages occur in this
stage
FETAL STAGE
 DEF: 3rd stage; lasting from 2 months to birth
 Rapid bodily growth---muscles and bones begin to
form
 Organs begin to function
 3rd month: sex organs begin to develop
 Final 3 months: brain cells multiply rapidly;
respiratory and digestive system mature
AGE OF VIABILITY
 DEF: the age at which a baby can survive in the event
of a premature birth
 Usually between 22 and 26 weeks after conception
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AND PRENATAL
DEVELOPMENT
 Nutrition is important
 Dietary deficits have shown correlation to apathy,
irritability, and reduced immunity to infectious
diseases
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS CONTINUED
 Most drugs consumed by mother can pass through
placental membrane
 ALL recreational drugs are harmful
 Cocaine: heart abnormalities, brain seizures most
common
 Prescription drugs: effects vary based on drug, dose,
and prenatal stage
ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO
 Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: collection of congenital
problems assoc. w/excessive drinking during
pregnancy
 Tobacco: smoking during pregnancy reduces flow of
oxygen and nutrients to the fetus
MATERNAL ILLNESS
 Fetus is vulnerable to disease---placenta does some
filtering
 Rubella, syphilis, cholera, smallpox, mumps, and
severe flu are hazardous
 Genital herpes and AIDS can transmit to offspring
PRENATAL HEALTH CARE
 Most prenatal dangers are preventable
 Poor health care is prominent in racial minorities
 USA ranks 41st in infant mortality rate