KIN 4512 Module 4 Study Guide
Questions All Solved Correct 2025-
2026 Updated.
Why is the study of physical growth important to us? - Answer -Physical size CHANGES motor
skill acquisition and performance.
-Determine typical growth patterns
>Deviation from normal trajectory may be first indicator of problems-- physical, psychological,
etc.
-Determine constraints on motor development and performance
Growth and Aging Change Individual Constraints - Answer -A wealth of factors combine to
influence patterns of growth and aging
>Factors which can or cannot be changed.
-Individual constraints cannot be changed.
-Task and some environmental constraints can be changed
>Educators and therapists can make task developmentally appropriate
>To shape abilities, overcome disabilities
PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT - Answer the process in which a baby develops from a single cell
after conception into an embryo and later a fetus.
2 phases
-embryonic growth (conception-8 weeks)
-fetal development (9 weeks- birth)
1. EMBRYONIC GROWTH - Answer increasing # of cells
cell differentiation occurs
-process wherein cells become specialized, forming specific tissues and organs
-limbs are formed at 4 weeks
-human "form" becomes noticeable at 8 weeks
,growth occurs in 2 ways:
+ hyperplasia - an increase in the absolute number of cells
+ hypertrophy - increases the relative sizes of individual cells
the direction of growth occurs in 2 ways:
+ cephalocaudal - head/facial structures > upper body > lower body
+ proximodistal - trunk tends to advance> nearest parts of the limbs > distal parts of limbs
+ plasticity - the capability to take on a new function (i.e., although differentiation occurs during
growth to perform a specialized function, some cells are still plastic)
FETAL NOURISHMENT - Answer Role of the placenta?
+ allow transfer of oxygen, nutrients, waste
What else does the placental barrier do?
+ prevents mixing of blood of mother and baby
Poor maternal health status can affect fetus
Fetal nourishment is the extrinsic factor with the most influence on fetal development
ASSESSMENT OF PRENATAL GROWTH - Answer - assess the health/condition of the baby in
advance
- ultrasound (most common)
- 3D images (using new imaging software)
DIFFERENT CAUSES OF ABNORMAL PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT - Answer 1. Genetic causes
2. Teratogens
3. Extrinsic factors
-all refer to "congential defects" - anomalies present at birth, regardless of their cause
GENETIC CAUSES - Answer Genetic disorders
, can also result from mutation of a gene
effects on growth and maturation are variable
+ sometimes defective genes can produce no meaningful effects in the phenotype
SPOTLIGHT: GENETIC CAUSES - Answer Trisomy 21 (down syndrome)
genetic disorder caused by when abnormal cell division results in an extra full or partial copy of
chromosome 21
symptoms/effects:
+ mild-moderate intelligence deficits
+ physical growth delays
+ unique facial characteristics
+ motor delays
TERATOGENS - Answer any drug or chemical agent that causes abnormal prenatal
development upon exposure
+ teratogens delivered through nourishment system act as malformation-producing agents
Placenta screens some substances (e.g., large viruses) but not all harmful ones
* Exposure to cannabis during pregnancy
+ medical uses: decreases nausea, weight gain, reduces pain/spasticity/inflammation, slows
tumor growth, reduces anxiety
+ the active component of cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can pass through the placental
barrier
symptoms/effects in fetus and later development:
+mild withdrawal symptoms at birth
+fetal growth trajectories
Questions All Solved Correct 2025-
2026 Updated.
Why is the study of physical growth important to us? - Answer -Physical size CHANGES motor
skill acquisition and performance.
-Determine typical growth patterns
>Deviation from normal trajectory may be first indicator of problems-- physical, psychological,
etc.
-Determine constraints on motor development and performance
Growth and Aging Change Individual Constraints - Answer -A wealth of factors combine to
influence patterns of growth and aging
>Factors which can or cannot be changed.
-Individual constraints cannot be changed.
-Task and some environmental constraints can be changed
>Educators and therapists can make task developmentally appropriate
>To shape abilities, overcome disabilities
PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT - Answer the process in which a baby develops from a single cell
after conception into an embryo and later a fetus.
2 phases
-embryonic growth (conception-8 weeks)
-fetal development (9 weeks- birth)
1. EMBRYONIC GROWTH - Answer increasing # of cells
cell differentiation occurs
-process wherein cells become specialized, forming specific tissues and organs
-limbs are formed at 4 weeks
-human "form" becomes noticeable at 8 weeks
,growth occurs in 2 ways:
+ hyperplasia - an increase in the absolute number of cells
+ hypertrophy - increases the relative sizes of individual cells
the direction of growth occurs in 2 ways:
+ cephalocaudal - head/facial structures > upper body > lower body
+ proximodistal - trunk tends to advance> nearest parts of the limbs > distal parts of limbs
+ plasticity - the capability to take on a new function (i.e., although differentiation occurs during
growth to perform a specialized function, some cells are still plastic)
FETAL NOURISHMENT - Answer Role of the placenta?
+ allow transfer of oxygen, nutrients, waste
What else does the placental barrier do?
+ prevents mixing of blood of mother and baby
Poor maternal health status can affect fetus
Fetal nourishment is the extrinsic factor with the most influence on fetal development
ASSESSMENT OF PRENATAL GROWTH - Answer - assess the health/condition of the baby in
advance
- ultrasound (most common)
- 3D images (using new imaging software)
DIFFERENT CAUSES OF ABNORMAL PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT - Answer 1. Genetic causes
2. Teratogens
3. Extrinsic factors
-all refer to "congential defects" - anomalies present at birth, regardless of their cause
GENETIC CAUSES - Answer Genetic disorders
, can also result from mutation of a gene
effects on growth and maturation are variable
+ sometimes defective genes can produce no meaningful effects in the phenotype
SPOTLIGHT: GENETIC CAUSES - Answer Trisomy 21 (down syndrome)
genetic disorder caused by when abnormal cell division results in an extra full or partial copy of
chromosome 21
symptoms/effects:
+ mild-moderate intelligence deficits
+ physical growth delays
+ unique facial characteristics
+ motor delays
TERATOGENS - Answer any drug or chemical agent that causes abnormal prenatal
development upon exposure
+ teratogens delivered through nourishment system act as malformation-producing agents
Placenta screens some substances (e.g., large viruses) but not all harmful ones
* Exposure to cannabis during pregnancy
+ medical uses: decreases nausea, weight gain, reduces pain/spasticity/inflammation, slows
tumor growth, reduces anxiety
+ the active component of cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can pass through the placental
barrier
symptoms/effects in fetus and later development:
+mild withdrawal symptoms at birth
+fetal growth trajectories
