Psychology 1000 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Umbilical Cord, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Preterm Birth

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 1000
• Professor: Terry Biggs

Document Summary

Two life-support structures, the placenta and umbilical cord, develop at the start of this stage. Located on the uterine wall, the placenta contains membranes that allow nutrients to pass from the mother"s blood to the umbilical cord. In turn, the umbilical cord contains blood vessels that carry these nutrients and oxygen to the embryo, and waste products back from the embryo to the mother. Supplied with nutrients, embryonic cells divide rapidly and become specialized. It lasts until birth, muscles become stronger and other bodily systems continue to develop. At about 24 weeks the eyes open, and by 28 weeks the fetus attains the age of viability, meaning that it is likely to survive outside the womb in case of premature birth. *a female"s egg cells and a male"s sperm cells each have only 23 chromosomes. At conception, an egg and sperm unite to form the zygote, which now contains the full set of 23 pairs found in other human cells.