PSYC 1010 Chapter 11: chapter 11 reading

• School: York University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 1010
• Professor: Myriam Mongrain

Document Summary

Prenatal development: extends from conception to birth, usually encompassing nine months of pregnancy. Prenatal period is divided into three phases: the germinal stage (first two weeks, the embryonic stage (2 weeks-2 months, the fetal stage (2 months-birth) Germinal stage: begins when zygote is created during fertilization, breaks into a cell mass of many cells and implants itself in the uterine wall. Embryonic stage: vital organs and bodily systems begin to form, zygote is now called embryo. Fetal stage: rabid bodily growth like muscles and bones begin to form, now called fetus. Capable of physical movements, sex organs develop. Events in the external environment can affect the fetus through the mother, despite protection in the womb. Teratogens: external agents that can harm any embryo or fetus (e. g. drugs or viruses) Most drugs (alcohol, tobacco, prescription and recreational drugs) can pass through the membranes of the placenta) Fetal alcohol syndrome: collection of inborn problems associated with excessive alcohol use during pregnancy.