PSYC 2450 Chapter Notes - Chapter 4: Prenatal Development, Fetus, Thalidomide
2 May 2016
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Prenatal development: development that occurs between the moment of conception and the beginning of the birth process. 1st trimester 1-3 months: brain, spinal cord, and heart form, external body structures and internal organs form, interconnection of all organ systems, genitalia forms. 2nd trimester 4-6 months: fetus assumes a human appearance, visual and auditory senses begin functioning. 3rd trimester 7-9 months: fetus reaches the age of viability the point at which survival outside the uterus is possible. Teratogens: external agents, such as viruses, drugs, chemicals, and radiation, that can harm a developing embryo or fetus: stds, rubella, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, environmental hazards. Maternal diseases: disease agents that are capable of crossing the placental barrier. Drugs: the thalidomide tragedy sold to pregnant woman to alleviate morning sickness, gave babies horrible birth defects, aspirin, coffee, and oral contraceptives can have adverse effects on a developing baby, illicit drugs can cause behavioural defects.
