国外心理学导论17.pptVIP

Module 17 Infancy Childhood PRENATAL INFLUENCES Prenatal period: three stages prenatal period extends from conception to birth and lasts about 266 days (9 months) PRENATAL INFLUENCES (CONT.) Prenatal period: three stages Germinal stage conception or fertilization occurs if one of the millions of sperm penetrates the ovum’s outer membrane after penetration by the sperm, outer membrane changes and becomes impenetrable to the millions of remaining sperm fertilized ovum is called “zygote” PRENATAL INFLUENCES (CONT.) Prenatal period: three stages Embryonic stage second stage of the prenatal period and spans the 2-8 weeks that follow conception during this stage, cells divide and begin to differentiate into bone, muscle, and body organs PRENATAL INFLUENCES (CONT.) Prenatal period: three stages Fetal stage begins two months after conception and lasts until birth fetus develops vital organs, such as lungs, and physical characteristics that are distinctly human during embryonic and fetal stages, the developing organism is especially vulnerable to toxic agents protected by the placenta PRENATAL INFLUENCES (CONT.) Placenta and teratogens Placenta organ that connects the blood supply of the mother to that of the fetus acts like a filter allows oxygen and nutrients to pass through while keeping out some toxic or harmful substances Teratogen any agent that can harm a developing fetus (cause deformities or brain damage) can be a disease, drug, or another environmental agent PRENATAL INFLUENCES (CONT.) Birth defects and amniocentesis possible to test during fetal stage for a number of genetic errors Amniocentesis medical test done between weeks 14 and 20 of pregnancy involves inserting a long needle through the mother’s abdominal muscles into the amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus fetal cells are analyzed in the fluid more than 450 genetic disorders can now be tested and identified PRENATAL INFLUENCES (CONT.) Birth defects and amniocentesis Down Syndrome results from extra 2