Genetics and Development Quiz

Development of an Individual

• Heredity (nature): Traits passed from parents to offspring
• Environment (nurture): All experiences from conception to death

Fertilization

• The meeting of the female egg cell and male sperm cell

Gonads

• Reproductive organs where sex cells develop

Sperm cells

• Male sex cells (spermatozoa) produced in the testes

Egg cells

• Female sex cells (ova) produced in the ovaries

Zygote

• Fertilized egg cell containing hereditary potential from both parents

Chromosomes

• Thread-like structures within the nucleus of cells
• Contain genes
• Females have two X chromosomes
• Males have one X and one Y chromosome
• Sex of offspring determined by father's chromosome

Gene

• Basic unit of heredity
• Small particle within a string-like formation
• Contains DNA

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

• Code of heredity carrying information about an organism
• Programs inherited traits

Maturation

• Unfolding of inherent genetic traits

Stages of Human Development

• Pre-natal Period: Conception to birth
  • Germinal stage
  • Embryonic stage
  • Fetal stage
• Infancy: Birth to end of second week
• Babyhood: End of second week to end of the second year
• Early Childhood (Preschool Age): 2-6 years old
• Late Childhood (Elementary Age): 6-10 years old
• Puberty (Preadolescence): 12-13 or 14 years
• Adolescence: 13 or 14-18 years
• Early Adulthood: 18-40 years
• Middle Age: 40-60 years
• Old Age: 60 years to death