Nature of Development

Development a process that continues from

conception to death
Development is affected by heredity and
environment
 Growth, Development, and Maturity
Growth quantitative changes, ex. Increase in
size and structure
Development qualitative changes, ex. changes
in behavior from childhood to adulthood
Maturity the end goal or growth and
development/completion of growth and
development
 Factors of Development
Heredity characteristics or traits are
transmitted to the offspring through the genes
of parents at the time of fertilization
o Fertilization (or conception)
The process of the union of the sperm cells and egg
cells or ovum
Both sperm and egg cells consist of chromosomes and
genes
Chromosomes: a packaged and organized theadlike
structure containing most of the DNA of a living
organism; at conception. An offspirng receives 23
chromosomes each from the father and the mother
 DNA:
deoxyribonucleic acid;
carries hereditary information;
responsible for the cellular operations that are
responsible for the development of the body
Genes:
carries the hereditary traits;
a total of 100,000 genes are located in the 23
pairs of chromosomes
 Environment
oPrenatal and postnatal
environment
Prenatal environment conditions before
birth
Postnatal environment physical and
social influences