PSYCH 7A Chapter Notes - Chapter 9 : Plantar Reflex, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Palmar Grasp Reflex
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PSYCH 7A Full Course Notes
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3 stages of prenatal development: germinal period (first 7 10 days, embryonic period (2nd week 8th week) Zygote an egg that has been fertilized by a sperm cell: cell divides, differentiation specialization in structure and function, after a week, the mass of cells (now called a blastocyst) consists of about 100 cells. Fetal period: outer (cid:271)lasto(cid:272)(cid:455)st placenta, 9 weeks embryo looks human! Teratogens: placenta keeps potentially harmful substances from reaching the embryo or fetus, teratogens harmful substances that can reach the embryo or fetus, teratogens include: viruses, drugs, and many other chemicals. Fetal alcohol syndrome (fas: alcohol kills fetal brain cells, alcohol consumption during first 3 months can result in fetal alcohol syndrome (fas). small, disproportionate heads, underdeveloped brains severe retardation. Fas is the leading cause of mental retardation. Newborns have very little control over their motor skills. Reflexes help them get through first few months of helplessness: grasp reflex, babinski reflex, rooting reflex.
