Question 1

Ovum is a term used to describe_________________________.

Accepted Answer

Ovum is another term for the female sex cell or egg.

Question 2

Which of the following statements about the ovum is true?

Accepted Answer

The ovum is the largest cell in the human female body, typically about 0.1 to 0.2 millimeters in diameter.

Answer: B
 The ovum is not a passive recipient of the sperm. It releases chemical signals and other reactions that help to attract and guide the sperm towards it, and it also undergoes changes after fertilization to prevent additional sperm from entering.

Answer: D
 The ovum is larger than many other cells in the body, but it is still visible only under a microscope and is much smaller than the head of a pin (which is typically around one millimeter in diameter).

Question 3

Which of the following statements is correct?

Accepted Answer

As the fetal nervous system develops, the heart rate decreases. This is a common feature observed in developing fetuses. Option A is incorrect because there is no research evidence to support the claim that female fetuses are more active than male fetuses. Option C is incorrect because fetuses are sensitive to both sound and light. Option D is incorrect because fetuses can detect and respond to human speech as well as music.

Question 4

Humans have a total of _______chromosomes.

Accepted Answer

Humans have a total of 46 chromosomes, which are arranged in 23 pairs.

Question 5

When the major axis of the body is present, it signals the beginning of which prenatal developmental stage?

Accepted Answer

The major axis of the body is a characteristic feature of the embryonic stage of prenatal development, which occurs from around the 2nd week to the 8th week after fertilization. During this stage, the basic body plan of the developing organism is established, and major organs and systems begin to form. The zygote stage occurs immediately after fertilization, before any major morphological changes occur. The fetal stage, which begins around the 9th week and lasts until birth, is characterized by continued growth and development of organs and systems, rather than the establishment of basic body structures. Teratogens are external agents (such as drugs, alcohol, or environmental toxins) that can cause birth defects or developmental disorders in the developing fetus.

Question 6

________ is the process that produces genetically programmed changes with age.

Accepted Answer

Maturation is the process that produces genetically programmed changes with age. It refers to the physical, cognitive, and emotional development that occurs over the lifespan, driven by biological processes such as hormonal changes and brain development. This process occurs from birth onward and is distinct from the effects of external factors such as learning and experience, which also shape development.

Question 7

________refers to heredity and __________ refers to environmental influences.

Accepted Answer

Nature refers to heredity, which is the genetic makeup an individual inherited from their biological parents. On the other hand, nurture refers to environmental influences, which can include things like upbringing, culture, and life experiences. Therefore, option A is the best choice to define both terms.

Question 8

How does the sperm reach the egg in order to fertilize it?

Accepted Answer

Muscle contractions in the uterus help to move the sperm through the cervix and into the fallopian tubes, where fertilization of the egg typically occurs.

Question 9

The prenatal period during which tremendous growth occurs and the organs continue to develop and become functional is called the _______________ period.

Accepted Answer

The fetal period is the last period of prenatal development, during which the organs continue to develop and become functional, and tremendous growth occurs. The germinal period is the first two weeks after conception, during which the zygote divides and implants in the uterus. The embryonic period is the second period of prenatal development, lasting from the 2nd through the 8th week after conception, during which the major organs and systems of the body begin to form. The term gestational refers to the entire period of pregnancy.

Question 10

How many pairs of chromosomes are in each cell of the human body?

Accepted Answer

Each cell in the human body contains 23 pairs of chromosomes, for a total of 46 individual chromosomes. The pairs include one chromosome inherited from the mother and one from the father. This is called the diploid number of chromosomes, and it is found in all somatic (non-reproductive) cells.

Question 11

In the second trimester of a pregnancy, the developing baby is called ________.

Accepted Answer

During the second trimester of pregnancy, the developing baby is referred to as a fetus. This term is used from the end of the embryonic stage (around 10 weeks from the last menstrual period) until birth.

Question 12

Juan and Carlos are identical twins. Juan was raised by his father and mother, and Carlos was accidentally placed with another family after a "mix up" at the hospital. At the age of 15, both boys "ran into each other" at a football game and noticed how they appeared to be "mirror images of each other." After proving they were twins by genetic testing, the families discussed some of the differences between the boys. Juan is very athletic and intelligent and excels in basketball but does not take school seriously and has F's in all subjects. Carlos is also athletic and intelligent, and excels in baseball and makes straight A's as a result of his strict home life and study routine. Although they are identical twins, what do you think accounts for the differences in their academic performance based on the research?

Accepted Answer

The differences in academic performance can be attributed to differences in their upbringing and environment, which falls under the category of nurture. Juan's lack of academic focus and poor grades may be due to a lack of structure or encouragement in his home life, while Carlos's strict home life and study routine may have contributed to his academic success. While genetics (nature) play a role in intelligence and athletic ability, it does not fully account for the differences in academic performance seen between the twins. The school district superintendent and teacher appraisals of performance would not account for the differences in academic performance between the twins.

Question 13

Strand-shaped structures in the cell nucleus that contain genes are referred to as____________.

Accepted Answer

Chromosomes are linear structures in the nucleus of a cell containing genetic material (genes) in the form of DNA. Each species has a characteristic number of chromosomes.

Question 14

Dr. Smith believes people who are very aggressive have become so because of their life experiences. Dr. Goldberg believes people are more or less aggressive from birth because of genetic factors. Which of the following terms best describes an issue in human development that is highlighted by their disagreement?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Smith and Dr. Goldberg's disagreement centers around the role of nature (genetics) versus nurture (life experiences) in shaping human aggression, which is the central issue in the nature versus nurture debate.

Question 15

A psychologist spends her entire career studying how and why changes occur in people throughout their lives. This psychologist is most likely working in the field of__________ psychology.

Accepted Answer

Developmental psychology focuses on the changes that occur in individuals from birth through old age, and this is the most appropriate field for the psychologist's work. Abnormal psychology deals with abnormal or pathological behavior, gerontological psychology is concerned with the aging process and its impact on mental health, and maturational psychology is not a recognized field of psychology.

Question 16

The fertilization of the egg by the sperm creates a(n) ________.

Accepted Answer

The fertilization of the egg by the sperm creates a zygote, which is the first developmental stage of a new organism. The zygote contains genetic information from both the egg and sperm, and will undergo cell division and differentiation to form an embryo and eventually a fetus.

Question 17

What is another name for gametes?

Accepted Answer

Gametes are commonly known as sex cells. This includes sperm in males and eggs (or ova) in females. While "ovum" and "egg" are both terms used to describe the female gamete specifically, "gametes" is a more general term that encompasses both male and female germ cells.

Question 18

At fertilization, the chromosomes from the father's sperm unite with the chromosomes from the mother's egg, creating a new cell called a(n)_______________.

Accepted Answer

At fertilization, the sperm cell and egg cell merge to create a zygote, which is the first cell of the new individual. The zygote contains all the genetic information necessary for the development of a new organism. A zygote is not an embryo, blastocyst or genome, although it will eventually develop into an embryo and then a blastocyst.

Question 19

Which of the following describes the fetal period?

Accepted Answer

The fetal period is the period during which tremendous growth occurs and the organs continue to develop and become functional. This period begins at the ninth week after fertilization and continues until birth. Option A refers to the process of implantation, which occurs during the embryonic period. Option B refers to the embryonic period itself, which is characterized by the developing embryo and the formation of major organs and structures. Option C refers to the development of the umbilical cord, which occurs during both the embryonic and fetal periods.

Question 20

________ psychology encompasses the study of human growth and change over the life span.

Accepted Answer

Developmental psychology focuses on the study of changes and growth that occur throughout a person's lifetime, from infancy to old age. It examines the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social aspects of development and how they interrelate. Social psychology studies how people interact with one another, Applied psychology is the practical use of psychological principles and theories to solve real-world problems, and Health psychology focuses on the relationship between psychological factors and physical health.

Quiz 9: Psychology Over the Life Span: Growing Up, Growing Older, Growing Wiser