1
PSYC 140 DEVELOPMENTAL LIFESPAN
PSYCHOLOGY
, 2
Prenatal Development & Birth
1. A zygote is created when:
• A) The embryo implants in the uterine wall
• B) A sperm fertilizes an egg
• C) The neural tube closes
• D) The fetus begins to move
Answer: B
Rationale: A zygote is the single cell formed immediately after sperm fertilizes an egg.
Implantation (A) occurs later, the neural tube closes (C) during the embryonic period, and fetal
movement (D) occurs in the fetal stage.
2. The three stages of prenatal development, in order, are:
• A) Embryonic, germinal, fetal
• B) Fetal, embryonic, germinal
• C) Germinal, embryonic, fetal
• D) Germinal, fetal, embryonic
Answer: C
Rationale: The germinal period (weeks 1–2) is first, then embryonic (weeks 3–8), then fetal
(week 9–birth).
3. During which prenatal stage does the heart begin to beat?
• A) Germinal
• B) Embryonic
• C) Fetal
• D) Zygotic
Answer: B
Rationale: Major organs, including the heart, begin forming during the embryonic period (weeks
3–8).
4. A teratogen is:
• A) A gene that guarantees a birth defect
• B) Any environmental agent that can cause prenatal harm
• C) A hormone that protects the fetus
• D) A type of ultrasound
, 3
Answer: B
Rationale: Teratogens include alcohol, drugs, infections, and radiation that can disrupt
development.
5. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) are most directly caused by:
• A) Maternal smoking
• B) Maternal malnutrition
• C) Maternal alcohol consumption
• D) Maternal stress
Answer: C
Rationale: Alcohol is a teratogen that can cause facial deformities, growth deficits, and brain
damage.
6. The final major organ to mature sufficiently for survival outside the womb is the:
• A) Heart
• B) Brain
• C) Lungs
• D) Liver
Answer: C
Rationale: Lungs produce surfactant needed for breathing; their late maturation is why extreme
prematurity is dangerous.
7. Age of viability refers to the age at which a fetus:
• A) Can survive outside the womb with medical help
• B) Is fully developed
• C) Can feel pain
• D) Begins to kick
Answer: A
Rationale: Viability occurs around 22–24 weeks gestation with intensive medical support.
8. Which APGAR criterion is NOT assessed at 1 and 5 minutes after birth?
• A) Heart rate
• B) Reflex irritability
• C) Weight
• D) Skin color
PSYC 140 DEVELOPMENTAL LIFESPAN
PSYCHOLOGY
, 2
Prenatal Development & Birth
1. A zygote is created when:
• A) The embryo implants in the uterine wall
• B) A sperm fertilizes an egg
• C) The neural tube closes
• D) The fetus begins to move
Answer: B
Rationale: A zygote is the single cell formed immediately after sperm fertilizes an egg.
Implantation (A) occurs later, the neural tube closes (C) during the embryonic period, and fetal
movement (D) occurs in the fetal stage.
2. The three stages of prenatal development, in order, are:
• A) Embryonic, germinal, fetal
• B) Fetal, embryonic, germinal
• C) Germinal, embryonic, fetal
• D) Germinal, fetal, embryonic
Answer: C
Rationale: The germinal period (weeks 1–2) is first, then embryonic (weeks 3–8), then fetal
(week 9–birth).
3. During which prenatal stage does the heart begin to beat?
• A) Germinal
• B) Embryonic
• C) Fetal
• D) Zygotic
Answer: B
Rationale: Major organs, including the heart, begin forming during the embryonic period (weeks
3–8).
4. A teratogen is:
• A) A gene that guarantees a birth defect
• B) Any environmental agent that can cause prenatal harm
• C) A hormone that protects the fetus
• D) A type of ultrasound
, 3
Answer: B
Rationale: Teratogens include alcohol, drugs, infections, and radiation that can disrupt
development.
5. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) are most directly caused by:
• A) Maternal smoking
• B) Maternal malnutrition
• C) Maternal alcohol consumption
• D) Maternal stress
Answer: C
Rationale: Alcohol is a teratogen that can cause facial deformities, growth deficits, and brain
damage.
6. The final major organ to mature sufficiently for survival outside the womb is the:
• A) Heart
• B) Brain
• C) Lungs
• D) Liver
Answer: C
Rationale: Lungs produce surfactant needed for breathing; their late maturation is why extreme
prematurity is dangerous.
7. Age of viability refers to the age at which a fetus:
• A) Can survive outside the womb with medical help
• B) Is fully developed
• C) Can feel pain
• D) Begins to kick
Answer: A
Rationale: Viability occurs around 22–24 weeks gestation with intensive medical support.
8. Which APGAR criterion is NOT assessed at 1 and 5 minutes after birth?
• A) Heart rate
• B) Reflex irritability
• C) Weight
• D) Skin color
