Write a 2000 Word essay on Pre-Natal Development

2000 Word essay on Pre-Natal Development
Conception to birth
Epigenetics
Nature (genetic disposition) v Nurture (environmental influences, stress and diet of mother, other stimuli)
Hereditary, Social, Political, cultural, economic, environmental
Underlying Phychological and Physiological perspectives on development and behaviour
Differences and diversity of lifespan models
Typical development – is the research reliable?
5 stages of brain development from conception

Pre Natal development is becoming more widely researched than in the past and it is now accepted that development actually starts at conception, not birth. A journal article by Gottleib, G (1976) on Behavioural Embryology explains that it is now known that ‘developing motor and sensory-perceptual systems are capable of functioning long before they have completed neural maturation’. This statement demonstrates that the human brain begins developing from the moment conception has taken place. We can follow a timeline when discussing Pre natal development, starting with conception. Conception is deemed to be the moment a single sperm penetrates the membrane of the egg and forms a Zygote. The genetic material of both parents is now fused and 23 pairs of chromosomes are made. The Zygote continues to develop into a Blastocyst and implants itself into the uterine wall. These first two weeks after conception are known as the Germinal Period. We then move into the Embryonic Phase from week three to eight. Although the Embryo is formed, the cell is still not recognisable as a human although the Neural Tube will begin to form at around 22 days gestation making the Central Nervous System. From week four, the spinal cord and brain is beginning to develop. By week five, all major organs and systems are formed.