PSYCH101 Lecture 6: Physical, Cognitive and Social Development These are summaries of the modules for lecture 6. It contains modules 13-16

• School: University of Waterloo
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYCH101
• Professor: Steve Spencer

Document Summary

Starts when a woman"s ovary releases a mature egg. Fewer than half of all fertilized eggs, called zygotes, survive beyond the first 2 weeks. Within the first week, cells begin to differentiate. Approximately 10 days after conception, the zygote attaches to the mother"s uterine wall. By 9 weeks, embryo looks unmistakably human- is now a fetus. The placenta transfers nutrients and oxygen from mother to fetus as well as screens out harmful substances: sometimes substances slip, teratogens, like if the mom has hiv, the baby may get this as well. Pregnant smokers can cause serious harm to baby, not receive enough nutrients. Drinking while pregnant may cause the baby to be alcohol dependent: can also affect the fetal brain, persistent drinking can put fetus at risk for birth defects and intellectual disability. Habituation- a decrease in responding with repeated stimulation. Brain overproduces neurons, 23 billion or so at birth.