Human Growth and Development Exam 1

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Mateo, being born prematurely to a cocaine-addicted mother, is at risk for several health issues. One common effect of prenatal drug exposure is a higher likelihood of sensory and regulatory problems, such as having abnormally shrill and piercing cries. This is a potential outcome that Mateo's caregivers can expect due to his circumstances. Choice A is incorrect as there is no direct correlation between being born prematurely to a cocaine-addicted mother and being very attentive to the environment. Choice C is incorrect as overcoming harmful effects of drug exposure by age 3 is overly optimistic and may not be the case for all children exposed to drugs prenatally. Choice D is incorrect as rapid motor development is not typically associated with prenatal drug exposure.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: longitudinal. In a longitudinal design, participants are followed and studied over an extended period, allowing researchers to observe changes and continuity in development as individuals age. This design is crucial for understanding how individuals grow and change over time. Cross-sectional studies (Choice A) involve comparing different groups at the same time point, while experimental studies (Choice B) involve manipulating variables to observe their effects. Correlational studies (Choice D) examine relationships between variables but do not involve studying participants over time.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: A baby born between the seventh and eighth months of pregnancy is considered premature. Premature babies are born before they are fully developed and may need assistance with breathing, including oxygen. They are at a higher risk for complications compared to full-term babies. Choice A is incorrect because premature babies are at a higher risk for health issues compared to full-term babies. Choice C is incorrect as modern medical advancements have significantly increased the survival rate of premature babies. Choice D is incorrect as being small-for-date does not solely depend on the gestational age at birth.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The placenta delivers food and oxygen to the developing organism during pregnancy. It is a temporary organ that forms in the first trimester of pregnancy. Choice A is incorrect as the placenta forms in the first trimester, not the second trimester. Choice B is incorrect as the amniotic sac, not the placenta, encloses the developing organism in amniotic fluid. Choice C is incorrect as the placenta contains blood vessels (arteries and veins) that deliver nutrients to the embryo, not just one large vein.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: By using random assignment of participants to treatment conditions, investigators increase the chances that participants' characteristics will be equally distributed across treatment groups. Random assignment helps reduce the likelihood of bias in the selection process and ensures that any differences between groups are due to the treatment and not pre-existing group differences. Sequential, systematic, and correlational assignment methods do not provide the same level of assurance in distributing participants' characteristics equally across treatment groups.