Chapter 3 - Developing Through The Life Span

Front 1

Developmental Psychology

Back 1

Branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social change throughout the life span

Front 2

Chromosomes

Back 2

threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain genes

Front 3

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

Back 3

a molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes

Front 4

Genes

Back 4

the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; a segment of DNA

Front 5

Heredity

Back 5

The genetic transfer of characteristics from parents to offspring

Front 6

Genome

Back 6

the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism's chromosomes

Front 7

environment

Back 7

every external influence, from prenatal nutrition to social support in later life

Front 8

interaction

Back 8

the interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heredity)

Front 9

zygote

Back 9

the fertilized egg; it enters a 2- week period of rapid cell division and develops and embryo

Front 10

embryo

Back 10

the developing human organism from about 2 weeks after fertilization through the second month

Front 11

Identical Twins

Back 11

twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical siblings.

Front 12

fraternal twins

Back 12

twins who develop from serrate fertilized eggs. they are genetically no closer than non-twin brothers and sisters, but they share a prenatal environment

Front 13

fetus

Back 13

the developing human organism from 9 weeks after conception to birth

Front 14

teratogen

Back 14

an agent, such as a chemical or virus, that can reach the embryo or fetus during prenatal development and cause harm

Front 15

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)

Back 15

physical and cognitive abnormalities in children cause by a pregnant women's heavy drinking. in severe cases, symptoms include noticeable facial disproportions

Front 16

reflex

Back 16

an unlearned, automatic response to a sensory stimulus

Front 17

temperament

Back 17

a persons characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity.

Front 18

maturation

Back 18

biological growth processes leading to orderly changes in behavior, independent of experience.

Front 19

critical period

Back 19

a period early in life when exposure to certain stimuli or experiences is needed for proper development

Front 20

schema

Back 20

a concept or framework that organizes and interprets information.