PSYCH 201
W03 Focus: Reading Reflections Questions
Instructions:
Use Chapter 3, “Prenatal Development, Birth and the Newborn Baby” on pp. 74–113, to thoroughly complete
this study guide, which will help you study for the exam. If you understand these answers (and can explain
them to someone else), you will be more prepared to do well on the unit exam.
Question: Answer:
1. List the three periods of prenatal
development, and discuss three
major milestones of each stage.
1. First Trimester: germinal, embryonic, and fetus
a. The single-celled zygote grows and develops into a
blastocyst and it penetrates the uterine wall.The
amnion, chorion, yolk sac, placenta, and umbilical
cord start to take shape.
b. There is a spinal cord and a primitive brain. The
digestive system, heart, ribs, muscles, the backbone,
the face, arms, legs, toes, and fingers start to form.
The embryo can move, and the sense of touch is
beginning to emerge.
c. There is a fast size rise. The nervous system,
muscles, and organs become more connected and
structured, the majority of the body becomes touch
sensitive, and new behavioral abilities emerge. And t
he external genitals are fully developed, so the sex of
the fetus is clear.
2. Second Trimester:
a. The fetus keeps growing quickly. During this time, the
mother can feel the fetal movements.
b. The fetus's skin is protected from chapping in the
amniotic fluid by vernix and lanugo.
c. By 24 weeks, the majority of the brain's neurons are
established. The fetus responds to sound, and its eyes
are sensitive to light.
3. Third Trimester:
a. If born at this period, the fetus has a decent chance of
surviving. Size expands and the lungs develop.
Expanding sensory and behavioral capabilities are
made possible by the brain's rapid development in
terms of neuronal connection and organization.
b. A layer of fat is deposited beneath the skin in the
middle of this phase. To protect the unborn child from
illness, mothers pass antibodies to the fetus.
c. In preparation for birth, most fetuses rotate into an
upside-down position.
