1. Unit 4 – Development through the Life Stages
Knowing the stages of growth and development throughout the human lifespan - Lesson 6

2. Learning Outcomes of Unit 4
You will be able to:
Identify and define the stages of growth and development through the human lifespan,
Identify, define and apply the potential effects of life factors and events on the development of the individual,
Identify and define the physical and psychological changes of ageing.

3. Picture in time What might have happened before the photo was taken?
What might be happening now?
What may happen after?

4. Life factors
Each cells in the human body has a nucleus with 23 pairs of chromosomes inside it,
In each pair of chromosomes one comes from the mother and one from the father,
Each chromosomes carries units of inheritance known as genes and these genes interact to create a new set of instructions for making a new person,

5. What are genes ?
Genes are made of a substance called DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid ),
The DNA contains instructions for producing proteins which regulate the development of a human being,
However you must remember that even though half of your chromosomes come from your father and half from your mother, your genetic patterns can be quite different from either of your parents.

6. Can the genes interaction with the environment have an impact ?
A good example of the interaction of the genes and the environment would be the genetic disease called phenylketonuria (PKU),
PKU is a rare genetic condition which prevents a person from being able to process a substance called phenylalanine which is found in many foods,
This condition causes the build up of harmful substances in the body that in turn damages the development of the brain and can eventually kill that person.

7. Your turn
You will each be assigned a genetic disorder which you must research and present to the rest of the group on Monday,
You will need to put together a 5 minute PowerPoint presentation and a leaflet or handout for each of your classmate to take away,
Your must answer all the questions set in your handout.