DEVELOPMENT FROM

CONCEPTION TO BIRTH Developmental

Psychology
IT STARTS WITH…

Ovulation
➢ the release of an egg from your ovary, into your fallopian tube,
typically happens about 13–15 days before the start of each
period
➢ After the release of eggs from the follicles, the egg has about
12–24 hours to be fertilized by sperm in the fallopian tube. If the
egg isn’t fertilized within this short window, it begins to
degrade. If it is fertilized, it travels to the uterus over the
following 6–12 days, to possibly implant for pregnancy.
CONCEPTION AND GENETICS
CONCEPTION AND GENETICS

What are the characteristics of

the zygote?
 The 23 chromosomes from the
sperm join with the 23
chromosomes from the ovum
to make up the set of 46 that
will be reproduced in each cell
of the new individual
CONCEPTION AND GENETICS

 Every cell in the human

body contains 23 pairs of
chromosomes, strings of
genetic material.
 Sperm and ovum
collectively is called
gametes and they contain
23 single unpaired
chromosomes. At
conception, chromosomes
in the ovum and the sperm
combine to form 23 pairs in
an entirely new cell called a
ZYGOTE.
CONCEPTION AND GENETICS

 Chromosomes are composed of molecules of deoxyribonucleic

acid (DNA). Each chromosome can be further subdivided into
segments called genes, of which influences a particular feature
or developmental pattern.
CONCEPTION AND GENETICS

 Twenty-two pairs of
chromosomes, called
autosomes, contain most of
the genetic information for
the new individual. The
twenty-third pair, the sex
chromosomes, determines
the sex.
 One of the two sex
chromosomes, the X
chromosome, is one of the
largest chromosomes in the
body and carries a large
number of genes. The other,
the Y chromosome, is quite
small and contains only a few
genes.
CONCEPTION AND GENETICS

 Gonads – sex glands (ovaries in females, testes in males)

 SRY – sex-determining region Y; his protein is involved in male
sexual development, which is usually determined by the
chromosomes an individual has.

Sometime between 4 and 8 weeks following conception, the SRY

gene on the Y chromosome signals the male embryo’s body to
begin secreting hormones called Androgens. These hormones
cause male genitals to develop.

If androgens are not present, female genitals develop no matter

what the embryo’s status is.
CONCEPTION AND GENETICS

In what ways do genes influence development?

 Genetics distinguish between the genotype and the
phenotype.
 Genes are transmitted from parents to children according to
complex rules that include the dominant-recessive pattern,
the polygenic pattern, and multifactorial inheritance.
CONCEPTION AND GENETICS

Genotype is the unique

genetic blueprint of each
individual that comes from
the combined sperm of the
father and mother ’s ovum.

Phenotype is an individual’s
particular set of observed
characteristics
CONCEPTION AND GENETICS

Dominant-recessive pattern
 A pattern of inheritance in which a single dominant gene
influences a person’s phenotype but two recessive genes are
necessary to produce an associated trait.

People whose chromosomes carry either two dominant or recessive

genes are referred to as Homozygous.

Those with dominant and one recessive gene are said to be

Heterozygous.
CONCEPTION AND GENETICS

Polygenic Inheritance
 A pattern of inheritance in which a many genes influence a trait
Dominant genes
 Freckles, coarse hair,
dimples, curly hair,
nearsightedness, broad
lips, Rh-positive blood,
Types A and B blood, dark
hair

Recessive genes
▪ Flat feet, thin lips, Rh-
negative blood, fine hair,
red hair, blond hair, Type
O blood

Polygenic (Many genes)

▪ Height, body type, eye
color, skin color,
personality
CONCEPTION AND GENETICS

Multifactorial Inheritance
 A pattern of inheritance in which a affected by both genes and
the environment.
 Many genes contribute to a child’s height and rate of growth.
However if he is ill, poorly nourished, or emotionally neglected, a
child may be smaller than others his age even though he carries
genes that should result in his being taller than his peers.
GENETIC AND CHROMOSOMAL DISORDERS
GENETIC AND CHROMOSOMAL DISORDERS

What are the effects of the major dominant, recessive, and

sex-linked diseases?
 Dominant disorders are usually manifested in adulthood
like the Huntington’s disease, a fatal affliction of the
nervous system.
 Recessive disorders affect individuals earlier in life, often
leading to intellectual disability and/or early death. These
disorders include Phenylketonuria, Tay-Sachs disease,
cystic fibrosis, and sickle-cell disease.
 Hemophilia and fragile-X syndrome are serious Sex-linked
disorders that affect males far more often than females ;
fragile-X syndrome can cause progressive intellectual
disability.
GENETIC AND CHROMOSOMAL DISORDERS

How do trisomies and other

disorders of the autosomes and sex
chromosomes affect development?
 Abnormal numbers of
chromosomes and damage to
chromosomes cause a number of
serious disorders, including Down
Syndrome. Sex-chromosome
anomalies may affect sexual
development and certain aspects of
intellectual functioning.
GENETIC AND CHROMOSOMAL DISORDERS

Trisomy
 A trisomy is a condition in
which a child has three
copies of a specific
autosome.
 The most common is Trisomy
21, or Down syndrome, in
which the child has three
copies of chromosome 21.
 These children have
intellectual disability,
distinctive facial features,
undersized brains, and at risk
of other physical
abnormalities (heart defects).
PREGNANCY AND PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT
PREGNANCY AND PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT

What are the characteristics of trimester of pregnancy?

 During the 1 st week of trimester, a woman experiences
morning sickness, breast enlargement, and fatigue.
 As the woman’s abdomen enlarge during the second
trimester, her pregnancy becomes noticeable. She feels
fetal movements for the first time and experiences an
increase in her appetite.
 During the third trimester, the woman gains weight and
may experience breast discharge in preparation for
nursing.
PREGNANCY AND PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT

What are the characteristics of trimester of pregnancy?

 During the 1 st week of trimester, a woman experiences
morning sickness, breast enlargement, and fatigue.
 As the woman’s abdomen enlarge during the second
trimester, her pregnancy becomes noticeable. She feels
fetal movements for the first time and experiences an
increase in her appetite.
 During the third trimester, the woman gains weight and
may experience breast discharge in preparation for
nursing.
Trimester Events Prenatal Care Serious problems
1st Trimester ▪ Missed period Blood and Urine Ectopic pregnancy,
(from 1st day of last ▪ Breast tests Abnormal urine or
menstruation period enlargement blood tests,
to 12 weeks) ▪ Abdominal Monthly doctor visits increased blood
thickening to monitor viral pressure,
functions, uterine malnutrition,
growth, weight gain, bleeding,
sugar, and protein in miscarriage
urine
2nd Trimester ▪ Weight gain Monthly doctor visits Gestational diabetes,
(12 weeks after LMP ▪ Fetal movements continue excessive weight
to 24 weeks after felt gain, increased
LMP) ▪ Increased Ultrasound to blood pressure, Rh
appetite measure fetal incompatibility of
growth and locate mother and fetus,
placenta miscarriage,
premature labor
3RD Trimester ▪ Weight gain Weekly visits begin Increased BP,
(25 weeks after LMP ▪ Breast discharge on 32nd week; Bleeding, premature
to beginning of ultrasound to assess labor, bladder
labor) position of fetus infection
PREGNANCY AND PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT

What happens in each stage of prenatal development?

 During the germinal phase, from conception to the end
of week 2, the zygote travels down the fallopian tube to
the uterus and implants itself in the uterine wall.
 During the embryonic phase, from week 3 through week
8, organogenesis occurs.
 From week 9 through the end of pregnancy, the fetal
stage, the fetus grows larger, and the structure and
functioning of the various organs is refined.
MILESTONES IN PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT
Stage/ Time Frame Milestones
Germinal phase Sperm and ovum unite, forming a zygote containing
(Conception and implantation) genetic instructions for the development of a new and
unique human being.

Embryonic phase The zygote burrows into the lining of the uterus.
(Organogenesis) Specialized cells that will become the placenta,
Process of organ development umbilical cord, and embryo are already formed.

All of the embryo’s organ systems form during the 6-

week period following implantation.
Fetal phase The fetus grows from 1 inch long and ¼ ounce, to a
(growth and organ length of about 20 inches and a weight of 7-9 pounds.
refinement) By week 12, most fetuses can be identified as male or
female. Changes in the brain and lungs make viability
possible by week 24; optimum develop 28, and
connections among them begin to develop shortly
thereafter. In the last 8 weeks, the fetus can hear and
smell, is sensitive to touch, and responds to light.
Learning is also possible.
MILESTONES OF THE FETAL STAGE
PREGNANCY AND PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT

How do male and female fetuses

differ?
 Male fetuses may be more active
than their female counterparts.
They also develop more slowly and
are more vulnerable to most of the
potentially negative influences on
prenatal development.
PREGNANCY AND PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT

What behaviors have scientists observed in fetuses?

 The fetus is responsive to stimuli and appears to learn in
the womb. Prenatal temperamental differences persist
into infancy and childhood, and some aspects of the
prenatal sensory environment may be important to future
development.
PROBLEMS IN PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT
PROBLEMS IN PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT

How do teratogens affect prenatal development?

 Teratogens exert greater effects on development
during critical periods when specific organ systems are
developing. The duration and intensity of exposure to
a teratogen, as well as variations in genetic
vulnerability, also contribute to teratogenic effects.
 PROBLEMS IN PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT

TERATOGENS
 Substances such as
viruses and drugs, that
can cause birth
defects.
PROBLEMS IN PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT

What risks are associated with teratogenic material

diseases?
 Some diseases contracted by a mother may cause
abnormalities or disease in the child. These include
rubella, AIDS, syphilis, gonorrhea, genital herpes, and
CMV.
PROBLEMS IN PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT

What other maternal factors influence prenatal

development?
 If a mother has poor nutrition, her fetus faces increased
risks of stillbirth, low birth weight, and death during the
first year of life.
 Older mothers and very young mothers face increased
risks, as do their infants. Long-term, severe depression or
chronic physical illnesses in the mother may also increase
the risk of complications of pregnancy or difficulties in
the infant.
PROBLEMS IN PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT

How do physicians assess and manage fetal health?

 Techniques such as fetoscopy, ultrasonography, chorionic
villues sampling, and amniocentesis are used to diagnose
chromosomal and genetic disorders, and along with
laboratory tests identify problems in fetal development.
A few such problems can be treated prior to birth with
surgery and/or medication.
BIRTH AND THE NEONATE
BIRTH AND THE NEONATE

What kinds of birth choices are available to expectant

parents?
 Most babies are delivered by physicians in the hospital.
For uncomplicated, low-risk pregnancies, delivery at
home or in a birthing center is as safe as hospital
delivery.
BIRTH AND THE NEONATE

What happens in each of the three stages of labor?

 The normal birth process has three parts:
1. Dilation – the cervix must open up like the lens of a camera
and also flatten out (efficament)
2. Delivery
3. Placental delivery
 Most drugs given to the infant’s bloodstream and have short -
term effects on infant responsiveness and feeding patterns.
BIRTH AND THE NEONATE

Events occur during the birth process

 Contractions are far apart
 Flattening of the cervix
 Cervix dilated to about 10 centimeters
 Woman has the urge to push
 The newborn’s entire body emerges from the womb
 Delivery of the placenta
BIRTH AND THE NEONATE

What do physicians learn about a newborn from the

Apgar and Brazelton scales?
 Doctors, nurses, and midwives use the Apgar scale to
assess a neonate’s health immediately after birth and the
Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale to track
a newborn’s development over the first 2 weeks of life.
BIRTH AND THE NEONATE

Which infants are categorized as low birth weight, and

what risks are associated with this status?
 Neonates weighing less than 2,500 grams (5.51 lbs) are
designated as having low birth weight. The lower the
weight, the greater the risk of significant lasting
problems, such as low intelligence-test scores or learning
disabilities.
 HOMEWORK #1 (PART 1)

Write the description of the following diseases in a piece of paper. Scan it or

take a photo of your handwritten homework and send it to my email with
the subject: Psych 201 (Chapter 3 assignment). Submit it on or before 12
noon tomorrow, September 23, 2020.
1. Huntington’s disease
2. Phenylketonuria
3. Tay-Sachs disease
4. cystic fibrosis
5. sickle-cell disease
6. Hemophilia
7. fragile-X syndrome
8. Rubella
9. Syphilis
10. Gonorrhea
11. genital herpes
12. Cytomegalovirus Infection
 HOMEWORK #1 (PART 2)

Read and write about Mary Ainsworth’s Attachment Patterns on

your blog. This will be your first article/entry. Describe each
pattern and analyze which among the attachment patterns best
match to your attachment style. In identifying your attachment
pattern, you should provide actual examples or circumstance that
you can recall to prove that that is your attachment style.
Specifically, recall how your primary caregiver behaved when you
were younger and how you responded to their behaviors. Include
in your analysis the possible effect of these circumstances in your
current relationship or on how you relate with other people.