PSYC 251 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Prenatal Development, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Umbilical Cord
21 Oct 2016
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Chapter 2 - prenatal development & newborn period. Conception: the fertilization of an ovum by a sperm cell. When two gametes combine (reproductive cells which contain 50% of all genetic material) they create a cell that contains 100% of all genetic material required. Each gamete has 23 chromosomes, so when they combine they form a cell with 46 chromosomes. When a woman is fertile she will release an egg into her fallopian tube that produces a chemical signal to attract the sperm from a male. If intercourse occurs and the male ejaculates, the sperm will be injected into the woman where it sets out on a course to fertilize the ovum. Survival of the fittest occurs because only the healthiest and strongest sperm will be able to reach the ovum while competing with millions of other sperm. Important periods of prenatal development: cell division: occurs within 12 hours of conception and occurs for 38 weeks.
