PSYO 121 Chapter Notes - Chapter 11: Prenatal Development, Placenta, Primitive Reflexes

• School: UBC Okanagan, UBC OK
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYO 121
• Professor: Derrick Wirtz

Document Summary

Developmental psychology: study of continuity and change across the life span. Zygote: a fertilized egg that contains chromosomes from both a sperm and an egg. Prenatal stage: ends with birth and begins 9 months earlier. Germinal stage: two week period of prenatal development that begins at conception. Embryonic stage: period of prenatal development that lasts from 2nd - 8th week: embryo continues to divide, already has a beating heart and other body parts, such as arms and legs. 75% of humans brain develop outside the womb: because a newborn human"s head cant be as big as adults", one of our species greatest talents is its ability to adapt. Placenta: the organ that physically links the bloodstreams of the mother and embryo and permits the exchange of certain chemicals. Teratogens: agents that damage the process of development, such as drugs and viruses: lead in water, paint dust in air, mercury in sh.