PSY 2105 Lecture Notes - Lecture 13: Miscarriage, Thiomersal, Fetus
11 Dec 2015
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Environmental agent that causes damage during the prenatal period. Drug used to treat anxiety and nausea (e. g. morning sickness) Widely available in many countries in late. Still used although danger to pregnant mothers now recognized (e. g. cancer treatments; hiv) Assistance for aging thalidomide victims (series in globe and mail) No because they"re given after birth; teratogens are specifically agents during the prenatal period. E. g. thimerosal o: overall research says no link. Three trimesters of pregnancy: weeks 1-12, weeks 13-24, weeks 25-38. Three stages of development: zygote (weeks 1-2, embryo (weeks 3-8, fetus (weeks 9-38) Teratogens will have different effects depending on which stage of development the baby is exposed to it. For example, if exposed to teratogens during embryonic stage, those developing body structures will be affected. (risk is lower during the fetal period) Forms 3 layers these go on to become. Eyes, ears, nose, jaw, neck; arms, legs, fingers, toes. Internal organs form: intestines, heart, liver, spleen.
