PSY 2105 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Thalidomide, Teratology

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSY 2105
• Professor: Julie Desjardins

Document Summary

Fertilization of the egg by the sperm. Increasing levels of fat in skin (thermal protection) Agents that cause abnormal development in the fetus. Can have physical effects (malformation) or psychological effects (intelligence, temperament, activity) Drugs (e. g. thalidomide, other therapeutic drugs, street drugs, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol. Environmental chemicals (e. g. , mercury, lead, and pcbs ) Malformations of internal organs and eyes, ears, fingers and toes. Babies of drug-addicted mothers are born addicted and are likely to have developmental problems. May be associated with miscarriage, premature birth or low birth weight. Can affect growth, increase risk of premature delivery. Can damage the cns, cause brain abnormalities and blindness, and produce facial abnormalities. The effect of a teratogen depends on the genetic makeup of the exposed organism. Teratogen effects on development depend on timing (period of 2 8 weeks is particularly sensitive) The effect of a teratogen may be unique. The impact of teratogens may be severe.