1. All of the following are periods of prenatal development except: a.germinal
b.embryonic
c.fetal
<u>d.postpartum</u>
Prenatal development describes the 40 week period before a child’s birth and the processes that occur during that time during prenatal development. Cells containing genetic material called chromosomes determine all physical characteristics of an organism including biological sex, height and eye color through expression of genes.
The germinal stage describes the process from conception through implantation which is approximately two weeks, and begins when an egg is fertilized by sperm to form a zygote.
The embryonic stage follows this until week eight of pregnancy; here the zygote divides into multiple cells in layers that determine systems like the nervous system; skeleton and respiratory system. The embryo travels through the fallopian tubes and implants itself in the lining of the uterus where blood vessels form the placenta.
During the fetal stage spanning from week 9 until birth, differentiation, formation of sex organs internal organs and sensory perception occurs. The fetus also undergoes major brain development to form psychological and psychosocial traits. Immediately following the birth of the fetus is called the postnatal period
