Human Growth and Development Final Exam

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Critics worry that fetal monitoring may identify babies as in danger who, in fact, are not. This can lead to unnecessary interventions and stress for the parents. It is important to carefully consider the accuracy and benefits of fetal monitoring to avoid unnecessary harm to both the mother and the baby. Choice A is incorrect because fetal monitoring does not cause numbness in the lower half of the body. Choice B is incorrect as fetal monitoring is helpful in detecting hidden problems with the baby. Choice D is incorrect as there is no direct link between fetal monitoring and an increased likelihood of infant brain damage.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In the investigation of over 120,000 New York City births, babies born even 1 to 2 weeks early showed lower reading and math scores at a third-grade follow-up compared to children who experienced a full-length prenatal period. This suggests that being born slightly premature can have an impact on cognitive development, leading to educational challenges later on. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because the study specifically highlighted lower reading and math scores, not a reduced likelihood of suffering from childhood obesity or neurological impairments, or improved language and social/emotional scores in early childhood.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Maternal high blood glucose is linked to poorer memory in early childhood. Research has shown that exposure to high levels of maternal blood glucose during pregnancy may negatively impact a child's memory development in early childhood. This highlights the importance of managing blood glucose levels during pregnancy for the health and development of the child. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not reflect the established link between maternal high blood glucose and poorer memory in early childhood. Rh factor incompatibility is related to blood type differences between the mother and the fetus, low birth weight can be linked to various factors other than maternal blood glucose, and sharp increases in the mother's blood pressure are not directly associated with maternal high blood glucose.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Dr. Langley's work being focused on understanding constancy and change throughout the lifespan aligns with the field of developmental science, which studies how individuals grow and change from birth through old age. This field encompasses the study of physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and other aspects of development across the lifespan. Choice A, genetics, primarily focuses on the study of genes, heredity, and genetic variation, which is not directly related to understanding constancy and change throughout the lifespan. Choice B, clinical psychology, concentrates on the diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders rather than the broader study of development across the lifespan. Choice C, adolescent development, is more specific and limited in scope compared to the comprehensive study of development across the entire lifespan, which is the focus of developmental science.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In the germinal period of prenatal development, which lasts for about the first two weeks after fertilization, the developing organism is a zygote that has not yet implanted in the uterus. During this period, teratogens rarely have any impact because essential implantation and early cellular division processes are occurring. Teratogens are more likely to have significant effects during the later embryonic and fetal periods of development. Therefore, the correct answer is A. Choice B, embryonic period, is incorrect because teratogens have a higher likelihood of impacting development during this period. Choice C, fetal period, is also incorrect as teratogens can impact development during this stage as well. Choice D, prenatal, is a broad term encompassing the entire period of development from conception to birth and is not a specific developmental stage where teratogens have a minimal impact.