Child Development: 3

Amnion

a bag or envelope and contains a clear fluid in which the developing embryo floats

Fetal Alchol Sprectum Disorders (FASD)

a cluster of abnormalities and problems that appear in the offspring of mothers who drink alochol heavily during pregnancies

Trophoblast

an outer layer of cells that later provides nutrition and support for the embryo.

Teratogen

any agent that can potentially cause a physical birth defect

Placenta

consists of a disk-shaped group of tissues in which small blood vessels from the mother and the offspring intertwine but do not join

Blastocyst

consists of an inner mass of cells that will eventually develop into the ebryo and trophoblast

Umbilical Cord

contains two arteries and one vein that connect the baby to the placenta

Neurons (Nerve Cells)

handle information processing at the cellular level in the brain. By the time babies are born they have 100 billion neurons

Fetal Period

lasting about seven months, is the prenatal period between two months after conception and birth in typical pregnancies.

Implantation

the attachment of the zygote to the uterine wall, takes place about 10-14 days after conception

Neurogenesis

the generation of new neurons

Endoderm

the inner layer of cells, which will develop into the digestive and respiratory systems

Mesoderm

the middle layer which will become the circulatory system, bones, muscles, excretory system, and reproductive system

Organogenesis

the name given to the process of organ formation during the first two months of prenatal development

Ectoderm

the outermost layer which will become the nervous system, and brain, sensory receptors, and skin parts

Embryonic Period

the period of prenatal development that occurs from two to eight weeks after conception

Germinal Period

the period of prenatal development that takes place in the first two weeks after conception. It includes the creation of the fertilized egg (zygote), cell division, and the attachment of the zygote to the uterine wall.