PSYC 2500 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Prenatal Nutrition, Preterm Birth
Document Summary
Phase 3 embryo phase- week 3 to 8. Gestation period of pregnancy is 40 weeks (count from first day of last menstrual cycle: strictly speaking, the women is often pregnant for 38 weeks. Zygote fertilized egg implants itself in the wall of the uterus. Recognize that the head is much larger in proportion to the rest of the body (we grow from the head down) Amniotic sac/amniotic fluid: keeps temperature constant and softens the blow of an impact. Placenta: layers of cells that develop around the fetus, protective barrier. Umbilical cord: system which brings nutrients into the developing fetus from the mother, and carries waste out. In first years of life these developmental delays may be more prevalent than later in life. Sensitive period: the right environment/environmental supports to produce a certain behavior. If no support, your development in that area may be delayed, or it may never develop (ex: language)