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INTRODUCTION TO CHILD DEVELOPMENT EPD 1063 MAIZATUL AKHMA SAAT TOPIC 3

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COURSE: EPD 1063/INTRODUCTION TO CHILD DEVELOPMENT FACULTY OF EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

TOPIC 3: Pre-natal Development

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Introduction - What is conception? Conception begins with a process of fertilization. Fertilization is defined as follows: Fertilization: is the process by which the sperm and the ovum (the male and female gametes) combine through sexual intercourse, in-vitro fertilization, or artificial insemination (test tube) to create a single cell called ZYGOTE, which then duplicates itself again and again by cell division (replication) to form a baby when the gestation period is completed. In human, it is a 9 months period.

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Gene Gene is the basic unit of heredity or building block (first observed and proposed by Watson and Cricks) that contain all hereditary material passed from the biological parents to their children. This gene is coded in the sperm and the ovum as described above. Thus, the children will inherit of the gene from the each of their biological parents to form a complete set of gene determining various characteristics such as hair colours, eye colours, some inherited diseases, and etc. Each cell in human body contains an estimated 60000 to 100000 genes, which are made of the chemical DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID (DNA). DNA is unique because it represents the genetic building block or signature. No two DNAs from two individuals are alike. Currently, modern technology enables the use of DNA to associate individuals who are related to each other. Other instances include the use of DNA in Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) to validate the presence of individuals in any crime scenes.

COURSE: EPD 1063/INTRODUCTION TO CHILD DEVELOPMENT FACULTY OF EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

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Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) DNA as described above carries the biochemical instructions (building blocks) that tell the cells how to make the proteins that enable them to carry out each specific body function. DNA is a string of helical combinations of bio-chemical building blocks. Each combination will produce certain Since the number of possible characteristics of the individuals.

combinations is large, thus, it is near impossible that two individuals will produce the same DNA. This is the basic of all building blocks in mankind.

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What determines sex? A baby will inherit 23 chromosomes from the sperm and another 23 chromosomes from the ovum. Together, they formed 23 such pairs. Inherited birth defects will arise if extra chromosomes are formed during the formation of zygote. This results in down syndrome or mongolism first found by Mendel. 22 pairs are AUTOSOMES; these chromosomes that are not related to sexual expression 23rd pair is related to the sex chromosomes (1 from the father and 1 from the mother, which governed the babys sex). responsible to determine the sex of the baby. Therefore, the father is Further, the chances of

producing a female and a male baby is 50 %: 50 % respectively. Thus, there is no inclination on the potential of producing male baby over female baby. Any combinations of X with X will give rise to female individual and any combinations of X with Y will result in male individual. This is as shown below:

MOTHER (XX)

FATHER (XY)

COURSE: EPD 1063/INTRODUCTION TO CHILD DEVELOPMENT FACULTY OF EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

BABY GIRL (XX)

BABY BOY (XY)

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Prenatal development There are three (3) stages of prenatal development: 1) Germinal Stage (Fertilization to 2 weeks) First 2 weeks of prenatal development is characterized by rapid cell division, increasing complexity and differentiation and implantation in the wall of the uterus.

2) Embryonic Stage (2 8 weeks) Second stage of gestation (2 8 weeks) is characterized by rapid growth and development of major body systems and organs. Rapidly and constantly developing organs, and major body system; this includes respiratory, digestive and central nervous system. At this point in time, the embryo is the most vulnerable and critical period. This explains the critical time during the first trimester of pregnancy. The success rate of the embryo surviving this stage develops to a full individual is much higher upon completion of this embryonic stage. Normally defective embryos rarely survive beyond the first trimester, or 3 months period, and we call it a miscarriage or spontaneous abortion. This is

COURSE: EPD 1063/INTRODUCTION TO CHILD DEVELOPMENT FACULTY OF EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

nature way of propagating healthy offspring. Charles Darwin calls it the Theory of Natural Selection where the fittest will survive.

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Fetal Stage (8 weeks to birth) o Final stage of gestation (from 8 weeks to birth) is characterized by increased detail of body parts and greatly enlarged body size. o Fetus grows very rapidly where organs and body systems become more complex and grows 20 times compare to its previous length. o Fetus started to breathe, kicking, and hiccups as well as sucking their thumbs. o Scientist and the doctors can observe the fetal movement and development through ultrasound technology. o Ultrasound can reveal the sex of the fetus as well

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Tutorial activity 1) How does conception normally occur? 2) How does heredity operate in determining sex and transmitting normal and abnormal traits? 3) What role do heredity and environment play in physical health, intelligence and personality?