HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
CONCEPTION TO BIRTH
PRESENTERS: GROUP I
FACILITATOR: DR. LISBETH MHANDO
OUTLINE
• Meaning of human development.
• Conception and prenatal development.
• Environment effect on prenatal development.
• Causes and effects of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders(FASD).
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
• Human development: refers to physiological, behavioral, cognitive,
social, emotional changes that occur through out human life which
are guided by both genetic predispositions (nature) and
environmental influence (nurture).
• Human development includes:-
➢Prenatal development: conception to birth
➢Natal development: birth to 28 days
➢Post natal development: one month and above
CONCEPTION AND PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT
• Conception: occurs when the egg is fertilized by a sperm.
• Prenatal development: is the development that begins after
fertilization to birth.
• Prenatal development involves three stages:-
➢Germinal stage: conception to 3 weeks Prenatal period is also considered an important
➢Embryonic stage: 3 weeks to 8 weeks part of the developmental process. Prenatal
development is a time of remarkable change
➢Fetal stage: 8 weeks to birth
that helps set the stage for future psychological
development. The brain develops over the
course of the prenatal period, but it will
continue to go through more changes during
the early years of childhood
GERMINAL STAGE
• The germinal stage begins at conception when the sperm and egg cell
unite in one of the two fallopian tubes.
• The fertilized egg is called a zygote. Just a few hours after conception,
the single-celled zygote begins making a journey down the fallopian
tube to the uterus.
• IT IS CHARACTERIZED BY:-
➢Rapid cell multiplication
➢Differentiation
➢Implantation
GERMINAL STAGE
• Cell division begins approximately 24 to 36 hours after conception this
process is called Cleavage
• Through the process of mitosis, the zygote first divides into two cells, then
into four, eight, sixteen( morula-3day) and 58 cells(blastocyst -4day)
• Finally, the blastocyst arrives at the uterus and attaches to the uterine wall,
a process known as implantation. Implantation occurs when the cells
nestle into the uterine lining and rupture tiny blood vessels. The connective
web of blood vessels and membranes that form between them will provide
nourishment for the developing being for the next nine months.
Implantation is not always an automatic and sure-fire process.
EMBRYONIC STAGE
• After attachment of the zygote to the uterine wall marks the
beginning of the embryonic stage at the 3rd week to 8th week.
• IT IS CHARACTERIZED BY:-
➢The fetus is 2 cm long with heartbeat & appearance of human being;
➢Neural tube which will become the brain and spinal cord is well formed
➢Embryo responds to touches
➢Period of greatest susceptibility to teratogens.
EMBRYONIC STAGE
• Around the fourth week, the head begins to form, quickly
followed by the eyes, nose, ears, and mouth. The blood
vessel that will become the heart start to pulse.
• During the fifth week, buds that will form the arms and
legs appear.
• By the eighth week of development, the embryo has all of
the basic organs and parts except those of the sex organs.
• By the end of the embryonic period, the basic structures
of the brain and central nervous system have been
established
FETAL STAGE
• At this stage the embryo becomes the fetus and mark the beginning of the
fetal stage. It begins from the 8th week to birth. At this stage growth is
defined.
• IT IS CHARACTERIZED BY:-
➢Structures and systems grow in size and efficiency.
➢Beginning of some physical actions such as curling of hands.
➢3 or 4th month – sex organs
➢2nd trimester – fetal movements detectable by mother; responds to sound and
mother’s movements; cerebral cortex is developed; eyelids open and begin to move;
can breath and cry
➢3rd trimester – can control breathing, swallowing and body temperature, nerve cells
needed for perception and vocalization, reflexes such as grasping and sucking
➢26 weeks – beginning of viability
ENVIRONMENT AND PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT
• TERATOGENS: these are substances that can harm the fetus, may
cause problems.
• It includes the general environmental factors such as
➢Air pollution
➢Radiations
➢Cigarette
➢Alcohol
➢Drugs
➢Poverty : psychological problem, malnutrition, domestic violence and stress.
ENVIRONMENT AND PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT
• Teratogens do not always harm the fetus.
• They are more likely to do so when they occur in larger amounts, for
longer time periods, and during the more sensitive phases.
• It occurs as when the fetus is growing rapids.
• The most vulnerable period for many of the fetal organs is very early
in the pregnancy during the embryonic stage.
FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS(FASD)
• Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: is an umbrella term given to a
group of conditions that can result from maternal alcohol drinking
and is associated with numerous detrimental developmental effects.
• The most serious condition is fetal alcohol syndrome(FAS)
• FAS results in limb, facial and genital abnormalities as well as
intellectual disabilities.
LIGHT UP:
I. There is no safe level in alcohol consumption during pregnancy. A pregnant
women should avoid drinking alcohol during the whole period of pregnancy.
II. Maternal drug abuse is a major concern and major risk factor facing the
unborn children.
The Effects of Teratogenic Exposure According to Prenatal Age
REFERENCES
• Wayne Weiten. (2015). Psychology themes and variation. 10th edn.
Wadsworth cengage Learning . Pg. 340-344
• Henry Gleitman, James Gross, Daniel Reisberg. Psychology. 8th edn. .
W.W .NORTON & COMPANY New Yor k • London. Pg.546-549
THANK YOU