Physical Development “Your body’s change from Womb to Tomb”

Prenatal Development Conception begins with the drop of an egg and the release of about 200 million sperm. The sperm seeks out the egg and attempts to penetrate the eggs surface. Prenatal Period Prenatal Period – the time between conception and birth

Once the sperm penetrates the egg- we have a fertilized egg called… The Zygote The first stage of prenatal development. Lasts about two weeks and consists of rapid cell division.

The Zygote Stage Less than half of all zygotes survive first two weeks. About 10 days after conception, the zygote will attach itself to the uterine wall. placentaThe outer part of the zygote becomes the placenta (which filters nutrients).

After two weeks, the zygote develops into a Embryo

The Embryo Stage Lasts about 6 weeks. Heart begins to beat and the organs begin to develop.

By nine weeks we have something that looks unmistakably human… A Fetus

The Fetal Stage Beginning after week 12 By about the 6 th month, the stomach and other organs have formed enough to survive outside of mother. At this time the baby can hear (and recognize) sounds and respond to light.

Things that can go wrong in the womb Unfortunately, there are many things that can go wrong when a baby is developing in the womb or prenatal environment. Your placenta should act as a filter but sometimes dangerous chemicals can travel through the placenta and harm the child

Teratogens Teratogens harmful agents to the prenatal environment

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Physical and cognitive abnormalities caused by a pregnant women’s heavy drinking. Physical and cognitive abnormalities caused by a pregnant women’s heavy drinking. Severe cases symptoms include facial disproportions. Severe cases symptoms include facial disproportions. Can lead to behavior and learning problems Can lead to behavior and learning problems

So what will a healthy newborn do? Rooting ReflexRooting Reflex –a babies tendency, when touched on the cheek, to open mouth and search for a nipple. Sucking ReflexSucking Reflex –the baby will suck on anything put in their mouth Grasping ReflexGrasping Reflex –when something is placed in the palm of the hand or foot, the baby will try to grab hold of it Moro ReflexMoro Reflex –when startled, the baby will flail out its arms and legs, then retract them, making herself as small as possible Babinski ReflexBabinski Reflex –when baby’s foot is stroked, he or she will spread their toes reflexes We are not blank slates- we have some basic programming called reflexes

Reflexes cont. Now, if the person next to you sticks their finger in your mouth, are you going to begin sucking? Probably not, because reflexes go away with brain development. Just as a side note these reflexes are different from the ones you have when you touch a burning pot

Babies also will turn towards human voices. Gaze longer at human face like images. What else do babies do???

Physical Developmental Infancy and Childhood

How do brain and motor skills develop in infants? Good News While in the womb, you produce almost ¼ million brain cells per minute. Bad News That is basically all you are ever going to develop.

The Brain and Infancy Although the brain does not develop many new cells, the existing cells begin to work more efficiently- forming more complex neural networks.

Brain cells is an impoverished environment.

Brain cells in an enriched environment.

What does this mean for humans? If children from impoverished environments given stimulating infant care, they score better on intelligence tests by age 12 than counterparts. Use it or lose it

Maturation Growth processes that enable changes in behavior, relatively uninfluenced by environment. –Such as walking or toilet training To a certain extent we all maturate similarly, but the time can vary depending on the person.

Motor Development Sequence is the same- but once again timing varies. First learn to roll over, sit up unsupported, crawl, walk etc…

Walking In US 25% learn by 11 months, 50% within a week of 1 st birthday, 90% by 15 months. Varies by culture –if the culture emphasizes walking then babies can walk at younger ages (NURTURE). But identical twins tend to learn to walk on the same day (NATURE).

Toilet Training NO MATTER WHAT, THE BABY NEEDS THE PHYSICAL MATURATION TO HOLD HIS OR HER BLADDER OR BOWEL MOVEMENTS BEFORE TOILET TRAINING. NO TRAINING WILL WORK IF THE CHILD IS NOT PHYSICALLY READY.

Adolescence Physical Development The transition period from childhood to adulthood.

Physical Development It all begins with… Puberty The period of sexual maturation, during which a person becomes capable of reproducing. The period of sexual maturation, during which a person becomes capable of reproducing.

Primary Sexual Characteristics The body structures that make sexual reproduction possibleThe body structures that make sexual reproduction possible I don’t believe I need to mention or show pictures of these…

Secondary Sexual Characteristics Nonreproductive sexual characteristics Female breasts Deepening of male voice Body hair Widening of Hips

Puberty Sequence is way more predictable than the timing. How might timing differences effect an adolescent socially?

Adulthood Physical Development

Physical Changes All physical abilities essentially peak by our mid to late twenties (this is why I just miss being the perfect female specimen)All physical abilities essentially peak by our mid to late twenties (this is why I just miss being the perfect female specimen)

Physical Milestones MenopauseMenopause –the natural ending of a woman’s ability to reproduce. –Physical symptoms led by a lack of estrogen. What psychological effects can menopause have? Men do not experience anything like menopause. Men can pretty much produce sperm forever.

Life Expectancy  Life Expectancy keeps increasing- now about 75. Women outlive men by about 4 years. But more men are conceived 126 to 100.

Health Bad news: –is as we get older our immune system weakens, thus we become more susceptible to life threatening ailments (cancer). BUT… Good News: –Is as we get older we build up a collection of antibodies throughout the years, and get minor colds less often.

Sensory Abilities

Age and Driving The brain processes information at slower speeds.

Alzheimer’s Disease A progressive and irreversible brain disorder –characterized by gradual deterioration of memory, language and physical functioning. –Runs its course in 5 to 20 years. –Deterioration of neurons that produce the neurotransmitter…. Acetylcholine Estrogen supplements may stop the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease.

5 Stages of Dying  Psychiatrist Elizabeth Kubler-Ross  5 stages before dying 1. Denial – no freaking way this is happening to me 2. Anger – how dare god let this happen – this is BS!!! 3. Bargaining – just let me live to see my sons get married 4. Depression – I can’t deal with this, what is my family going to do without me?? 5. Acceptance – I am ready, I don’t want to fight this anymore

Chromosomal Abnormalities  Turner’s Syndrome  A baby is born with just a single X chromosome (girls)  Shortness, webbed neck and unusual sexual development  Klinefelter’s Syndrome  A baby is born with and extra X (XXY) (boys)  Minimal sexual development and extreme introversion  Down’s Syndrome  A baby is born with an extra chromosome on the 21 st pair  Rounded face, shorter fingers, low cognitive ability

Turner’s Syndrome Klinefelter’s Syndrome