Deck 2: Section 1: Prenatal Development and the Newborn Period

Question 1

Choose two maternal factors and two environmental factors that affect prenatal development, and describe the effects of each one.

Answer 1

Not Answer

Question 2

Describe the four major developmental processes underlying the development of a fetus: cell division, cell migration, cell differentiation, and apoptosis. For each process, provide an explanation of what occurs during the process as well as an example of the process. Be sure to specify when during the development of the fetus each process comes into play.

Answer 2

Not Answer

Question 3

A couple with a newborn cannot agree on how much their new baby knows about his new world. The baby's mother insists that he does not recognize anything and that he would not know the difference if he were suddenly transported to a different planet, complete with different sights, sounds, smells, and so forth. The baby's father, however, argues that the baby learned a lot while in the uterus and thus recognizes many features of his new world. Identify which parent is more accurate, and discuss at least four pieces of evidence to support that parent's view.

Answer 3

Not Answer

Question 4

There has recently been a great deal of governmental attention paid to stem cells and the research conducted on them. Describe the developmental process that gives rise to stem cells (i.e., how they develop) as well as the developmental process that follows their formation (i.e., what they become). Why are researchers so interested in using these particular cells for research? In other words, what makes them so special?

Question 5

Describe the differences and similarities of the effects of teratogens in the embryonic period and in the fetal period. Explain why these differences and similarities exist.

Question 6

Describe the DeCasper and Spence Cat in the Hat study. What did they ask pregnant women to do, and why? What did they examine in the newborns of these women? What were their results, and what can be learned from these results?

Question 7

Describe two ways in which prenatal development is continuous and two ways in which it is discontinuous.

Question 8

A new group of hospital volunteers is beginning training to help out with parents of babies who are of low birth weight (LBW). A nurse is asked by the hospital administrator to write a brief article about LBW for these volunteers to read during their training. Write an article for the nurse, describing the types of LBW babies, the main causes of LBW, and the effects of LBW on newborn behaviour. Since these volunteers will be working with the parents of LBW babies, the article should also include information about common thoughts and feelings experienced by parents of LBW babies, as well as any advice the volunteers could give to the parents.

Question 9

Describe how birth is likely to be experienced by the fetus/newborn, making sure to provide evidence for the description.

Question 10

The fetus is believed to be an active contributor to its own development. Describe two ways in which the fetus is an active participant in its own physical and behavioural development.

Question 11

An expectant couple is wondering about what their fetus is able to hear, and they are thinking about attempting an "education" program of reading books and playing music to their unborn child. They ask a nurse if that is a good idea. What should he tell them about the auditory experience of their fetus? What sounds does the fetus generally hear every day? What should he tell the couple about the ability of the fetus to learn from its auditory experience? Provide two examples of prenatal learning that are due to prenatal auditory experience. What advice should the nurse offer these parents on whether they should attempt the prenatal "education" program?

Question 12

Describe a day in the life of an 8-month-old fetus. Include a description of the types and levels of movements the fetus makes, the cycles of rest and activity (if any), and the types of sensations seen, heard, tasted, smelled, and felt by the fetus.

Question 13

Describe how cultural beliefs and practices can influence newborns' states of sleep and arousal.

Question 14

Describe three differences between the sleep and sleep-wake cycles of newborns and the sleep and sleep-wake cycles of adults. Explain the effect of these differences on newborn development.

Question 15

Write a brief article for a parenting magazine discussing infant crying. The article should provide new parents with information about how much crying they should expect, why infants cry, what the most effective soothing techniques are, and whether and how much they should respond to their infants' cries. The article also should briefly discuss colic-what it is as well as what parents can do if their infant is colicky.

Question 16

What are the effects of poverty on prenatal development, birth outcomes, and long-term developmental outcomes? If someone could give four suggestions to a pregnant woman living in poverty about what she can do to help ensure a healthy pregnancy and a healthy delivery, what should that person tell her?

Question 17

Describe the general course of prenatal development from implantation in the mother's uterus to birth. Be sure to explain the general order of development, the pace of development, and the timing of at least three developmental milestones.

Question 18

Choose two teratogens and answer these questions about the impact of each one on the fetus: (1) What are the effects of exposure to the teratogen? (2) How does the amount and length of exposure influence the teratogenic effect? (3) How does the timing of exposure influence the teratogenic effect?

Question 19

What is SIDS? Describe three measures parents can take to reduce the chance of their infant dying of SIDS. Why are these measures so important in the prevention of SIDS?