Developing Mother And Child example essay topic

Early Child Development There are many key factors that play up to the role of early child development, starting from before the child is nonexistent, until the child is a full grown baby. Bodily Processes of Reproduction There are numerous hormones in the human body that play key factors in allowing a human being to reproduce successfully. Spermatogenesis Spermatogenesis is the 65 to 75 day process in which the human male anatomy produces sperm cells. In the male body, follicle-stimulating hormones, or FSH, and hormones, or LH, are very important in the process of spermatogenesis. These hormones control sperm reproduction. The production of the hormones testosterone and androgen's are stimulated by the hormones.

During this process, the follicle-stimulating hormones motivate the testes to produce sperm. The development of the sperm takes place in twisted tubules called tubules. Mitosis occurs, in which the diploid cells multiply themselves constantly. Then, day by day, at least 3 million of these cells begin to undergo meiosis, where the number of doubled chromosomes is reduced in half by dividing the cell over and over again. In order for the first phase of Meiosis to begin, the cell must become a primary spermatocyte. After this has occurred, the diploid cell, which has 46 chromosomes, split into two haploid secondary spermatocytes, each containing only 23 chromosomes.

In the next phase of Meiosis, Meiosis II, the two cells split, again, forming four cells also consisting of 23 chromosomes, and the cell undergoes the change in order to perform its more specialized function for reproduction. This production takes place in the male gonads, also known as the testes. Oogenesis Oogenesis, also called, is the process in which the female anatomy produces egg cells. The egg cell is made up of three layers: a jelly coat, the vitelline layer, and the egg cell's plasma membrane. A hormone called gonadotropin releasing hormone, or GnRH, control the production of the follicle-stimulating hormones and the hormones that, as stated above, are also found in the male body.

The process of oogenesis is similar to spermatogenesis. Although produced by the hormones, the androgen hormones control the levels of FSH, GnRH, as well as the LH. Oogenesis begins before birth. Each follicle in the uterus that all females are born with holds an undeveloped primary oocyte.

Similar to the primary spermatocyte, the primary oocyte is a diploid cell that has to divide into two haploid cells in order to complete Meiosis I. When puberty begins for females, the FSH arouses one of the undeveloped primary oocytes to develop. This causes the follicle to expand, completing Meiosis I. The difference between the Meiosis of the two processes, though, is that when the oocyte divides for Meiosis II, the amount of cytoplasm between the two daughter cells is imbalanced. The cell with the most cytoplasm is called the secondary oocyte. This is the cell that released in ovulation. Fertilization Fertilization is the outcome of the joining of a sperm cell and an egg cell to form what is called a diploid cell. A diploid cell is a cell that contains two sets of chromosomes that were inherited from each parent cell.

The cell will eventually develop into another human being. It is a process that is a result of a series of events which happens in sexual reproduction. The hormones of the male and female body are what trigger the beginning of this process. Other than FHS, GnRH, and LH, the other hormones that help regulate the female cycle is estrogen and progesterone. The proliferate phase is the first half of a female's cycle in which the mucous membrane of the uterine wall thickens. The FSH causes ovaries to secrete estrogen and the follicle of the uterus to fully develop.

Ovulation is caused by the hypothalamus secreting large amounts of GnRH by the increase of FSH. The follicle burst and the egg is released. This happens on about the 14th day of the average 28-day cycle. A corpus luteum, a mass of cells that secrete progesterone, are formed when the LH arouses the remaining follicles. The secretory phase and the luteal phase make up the second half of a female's cycle. In these phases, the endometrium is still thickening, setting up the uterus for a potential pregnancy.

If the egg is not fertilized, the corpus luteum weakens and the level of the sex hormones progesterone and estrogen become low. The corpus luteum then begins to collapse and the production of the sex hormones come to a halt. When a sperm cell is in the process of fertilization, it must first go through the three layers of the egg in order to reach the egg's nucleus. When the sperm comes in contact with the first layer, the, a sac containing enzymes designed to aid in egg penetration, releases the enzyme.

The enzymes eat a hole into the first layer, allowing the sperm head to come in contact with the vitelline layer. Proteins on the sperm cell's surface attach to the receptor proteins of the vitelline layer. The joining of the two surfaces guarantees that no other sperm can fertilize the egg. The sperm's plasma membrane and the egg cell's plasma membrane then merge together. Afterward, the nucleus of the sperm can then enter the egg cell. During this time, the combined sperm and egg cell are still in the fallopian tube, near the ovary and almost instantly begins cell division.

When it finally reaches the uterus for implantation into the endometrium, it is then composed of about 100 cells and is a concave ball called a blastocyst. This begins the first trimester of the three trimester pregnancy. The newly formed ball of cells is now known as an embryo. The First Trimester The human blastocyst is filled with fluid and surrounded by the outer layer of cells called the trophoblast.

The cavity containing the fluid also contains a mass of cells that will eventually develop the baby. The trophoblast also eventually becomes the placenta. When it does, the placenta begins to produce hormones that stop the corpus luteum from collapsing and cause the endometrium to be preserved by the hormones of the corpus luteum until the placenta can produce an efficient amount of hormones itself. The extra embryonic membrane is formed from some of the cells from the cell mass in the blastocyst and some of the trophoblast cell.

This is a four part structure tat include the amnion, the yolk sac, the chorion, and the allantois. The amnion is a thin sac filled with fluid that will protect the embryo during pregnancy. The yolk sac is the mass of cells in the blastocyst that will become the embryo's first blood cells and germ cells. The allantois becomes apart of the umbilical cord and of the embryo's urinary bladder.

The chorion secretes the hormone, human chorion ic gonadotropin, or HCG, as it becomes apart of the placenta. The HCG sustains the corpus of the ovary for the first trimester. The baby's organs are also developed during this time. This process is called organogenesis. The sex organs are also formed during this period. Basic forms of both sex organs are developed, but sooner or later, one set will develop more while the other deteriorates.

About four weeks after fertilization, the embryo's heart begins to beat. It is about 7 mm long by this time. The brain and spinal cord are beginning to form, causing the embryo to grow a tail, much like that of a tadpole. The embryo also has little stubs that will soon take shape as its arms and legs. The most important organs and structures of the body are in their simplest form by the eighth week, or by the end of second month. In the third month, the embryo continues to develop.

Now the embryo is considered a fetus. The Second Trimester The second trimester begins with the fourth month of pregnancy. The corpus luteum finally stops producing hormones, collapses, and the production of HCG is decreased. The placenta is now large enough to produce its own hormones.

Most of the baby's outer features noticeably change during this trimester. By this time, the fingers and toes of the fetus are growing longer, its tail is nearly gone, and now, it has developed eyelids. The fetus is the most active in this trimester. Eventually, the fetus will become large enough that the movement can be felt by the mother. The second trimester is where the fetus increases in size the most. At about 16 weeks, the fetus is about 2.5 inches long (6 cm) and has minor changes to its human features.

Four weeks later, the average length of the fetus is about 7.6 inches long (19 cm) and its face has developed eyelashes and eyebrows. What were once stubs are now arm and legs, complete with fingers, toes, and nails. Before now, the sex of the baby could not be determined. At this point, the sex organs should be developed enough that the sex can be determined. At the end of the second trimester, the fetus can now open and close its eye like a normal human being and is now developing teeth. Also, by now, the fetus can hear outside noises.

The Third Trimester The third trimester begins at the seventh month of pregnancy. In this period of time, the fetus is developing in a way that will help prepare it to be born into the outside world. The ability to sustain its own body temperature is developed, as well as changes to some of the fetus's organ systems. The fetus's circulatory system and respiratory system go through changes allowing it to be able to function outside of its mother's womb. Until birth the baby will never had breathed air, so the adjustments to the outside environment are made before it is born. Bones and muscles also begin to strengthen, in order to be able to not be full dependant.

Because of the increasing size of the fetus and the decreasing size of the space in the uterus, not much movement is made during the third trimester. Oxytocins are hormones that are produced as the result of high levels of estrogen that is produced during the last week. The release of the hormone by the pituitary gland stimulates the contractions of the muscles in the uterus during labor. Also caused by the high estrogen levels is the production of by the placenta. The control the uterine muscle contractions. This marks the beginning of the birthing process.

(Carter 2001) Child Birth The Dilation of the Cervix The uterine muscles of a woman contract, causing the cervix to dilate until it is a full 10 cm in diameter. This is the longest stage of labor and delivery and is know to last from about 6 to 12 hours or longer. Expulsion This period lasts from when the cervix is fully dilated until the delivery of the baby. During this period, the muscles contractions are extremely strong and extremely close together, last about a minute each and occur every 2 or 3 minutes. Theses contractions give the mother the impulse to push. On average, expulsion is between 20 minutes and hour long.

The Delivery of the Placenta About 15 minutes after the baby is delivered, the placenta is delivered. Before this can occur, the umbilical cord has to be cut. It is important to wait a few minutes before cutting the umbilical cord because before the baby was born, its blood circulated through the placenta. As a result, when the baby is born, a lot of its blood is still flowing through the placenta.

It is essential to the baby's health that as much blood as possible is pumped back into the baby's body. The umbilical cord should be pulsating as the blood flows back. Until the umbilical cord is lifeless, it should not be cut. Influences of Prenatal Development There are many important factors that can effect the growth of an unborn child. Many are potential harm to both developing mother and child. These have been found to be in the environment in the form of toxic chemicals, fumes, and poisons.

(Looking, P. 4) The amount of nutrition a child gets while in the womb is vital, especially in the first few months, although it is still important for it to receive good nutrition throughout the entire pregnancy. The use of drugs and alcohol can also endanger the growth and development. Age, Nutrition, and Infections Other than outside environmental harm, the age of the mother can affect the child. The average woman starts to have children between the ages of 24 and 36. It has been found that, often, "an infant born to an adolescent is born premature; the mortality rate of infants born to adolescent mothers is double that of infants born to mothers in their twenties" (Influences, P. 27). When a woman has children over the age of 40, the doctor will also be more observant of her development.

Whether or not the child has Down Syndrome is also dependent on the mother's age. Nutrition is also a key factor that can affect the mother and child. It is important that the mother, especially in the first few months and when trying to conceive, receives the right amount of vitamins and minerals that aid in reproduction and development. Not receiving the right nutritional nourishment can result in slow fetal growth. Vitamins, minerals, and proteins, are very essential in the growth of the umbilical cord. When the umbilical cord does not develop correctly, more so, if is develops more narrow than expected, it will be difficult for the foods that the mother is eating to reach the child, and therefore, the child will develop slowly.

This will eventually end with a premature birth, a low birth weight, or even a miscarriage or stillbirth. Contracting any virus during pregnancy can be harmful to the mother and the baby. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the most common viral infections that are present at birth. About 1 percent, or 40,000, of all newborns per year in this country are infected. (March, P. 3) STDs cans severely infect the unborn child. Syphilis is known to damage developed organs.

Serious effects of these viruses can result in auditory and vision loss, mental retardation, and stillbirth. Drugs and Alcohol The use of drugs and alcohol can have major long term affects on a child. Using cigarettes or any form of tobacco increases the irregularities that can form depending on the stages of pregnancy. Use at the beginning of pregnancy will affect the growth of the organs that are developed in the first trimester. It is imperative not to use tobacco at the beginning, or at any point in pregnancy, because in every trimester, and an important part of the child is developed, the organs being the most important. Using tobacco after the first trimester can affect the nutrients trying to reach the baby.

It will affect the growth rate of the fetus and there is the probability that the child will be born underweight. "Babies born to habitual smokers weigh, on average about 250 grams less than they would otherwise be expected, and are shorter, at both birth and the years to come". (Influences, P. 28) Second-hand smoke also takes away about another 45 grams. Illegal narcotics use has a more aggressive affect that just smoking alone because they have more harmful chemicals. "Worldwide, alcohol is probably the greatest single cause of birth defects". (Needlman 2001) Irregular features, struggled learning, attention deficit, retardation, and slow growth are characteristics of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, or FAS.

Biologically, some ethnic groups are more vulnerable to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome than others. Poverty The financial background of the woman, her family, and where she lives also play a role. A woman may not be able to get the gynecological attention needed if she does not have the economic support need to pay for these things. There are many clinics around the country, such as Planned Parenthood, that offer prenatal care to women without insurance, but the growing number of poverty in our country to makes it close to impossible for these women to get the treatment when it's needed. The Newborn It is suggested that learning takes place at a very rapid rate in the first 3 or 4 weeks of life. (Navsaria 1998) In these few week, many responses to the outside world is tested by the baby's nervous system, as well as the other organ systems of the body.

Reflexes A reflex is defined by psychologist as "an unlearned or instinctive response to a stimulus" (dictionary. com). Human beings are equipped with these automatic responses at birth. Reflexes are what most noticeable feature about a baby. When a baby is born, it is new to its outside environment, so will therefore react in a way that will somehow aid in the understanding of its surroundings. Rooting, grasping, and sucking are the most common reflexes that a newborn will have. The rooting reflex helps when a mother is nursing.

With a faint stroke on the cheek, the newborn will automatically turn toward the direction of where the touch came from, open its mouth and try to find something to begin sucking on. The grasping reflex aids in helping to support the newborn's own weight. Stroke a finger across the newborn's palm. It will have the tendency to grasp the finger tightly as a result of stimulation. Sleep A newborn baby tends to have several stages of sleep throughout the time it is born until about the age of 2. In the beginning, a newborn may start out with short stages of sleep.

Eventually, the short periods of time are blended together and appear to be similar to an adult sleeping pattern at night. Unlike an adult, the baby will not be sound asleep; it move around a lot and occasionally wakes momentarily. (Maternity 1971) During the day, a baby will still continue to take short naps. During the period of sleep, the baby is very sensitive, as like in awareness, to touch and sound. The baby will respond to any unprompted stimulus. Vision More than any of our other senses, "humans depend on vision more than any other sense for active exploration of their environment" (Carter 2001).

Depending upon how old the child is how its eyesight varies. At birth, vision is not completely developed. Babies begin to follow moving objects and might begin to reach for the objects. The baby will tend to miss the object because their vision is still developing.

Within the first 6 months, the vision of a baby will mature vary hastily. Newborns have blurred vision. The only things it can see are movement, color, and large, close objects. At about 3 to 6 months, a baby should be able to focus its vision on a moving object. At about 6 months, babies should be taken to an optometrist. "Things that the optometrist will test for include excessive or unequal amounts of nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism and eye movement ability as well as eye health problems" (AOA 2004).

Babies become fascinated by distinct detail, color, and moving objects. In this time, the retina of the eye is very developed, allowing the baby to notice fine detail and develop the judgment of distance. At about 6 months, a baby's eyes grow to about two thirds the size of adults. Most babies are able to move around freely by the time they are at least 8 months. The child will start using its vision to get up and grab something.

By the age of 1 year, the eyes are now coordinated with the body. Although a child's eyesight is not developed at birth, it is still very vital to take the baby to an optometrist at an early age. Visual disorders can develop early on in life, becoming apparent between birth and the age of 6 months. Infants can develop early cataracts. "Cataracts are a major cause of vision loss throughout the world". (Parent 2004) Cataract can be reversed within the first few days after life, if caught early.

After that time, the child is at risk for vision loss. About 5% of all children become crossed eyed, a condition known as strabismus. It is common for a newborn's eyes to wander because they do not quite have the control of their visual focus. By the time the baby is about 3 or 4 months old, it should be able to focus on a moving object, as said above. If the baby does not seem to begin to focus by then, then an optometrist should be seen. A defect that is found in premature babies is retinopathy.

This is a defect that is caused by the blood vessels of the eyes growing irregularly, due to the baby not fully developing before birth. A Visual Evoked Potential (VE) test can test a baby's vision by recording brain waves while the child looks at a pattern on a screen. Preferential Looking is another way to test vision using flash cards to test the vision. Hearing Babies begin to hear when they are about 5 months old in the uterus.

Something that may startle the mother outside and cause her to jump can cause to child to become startled, and they learn to associate a startling noise with the response to become startled. Since the baby is submerged with fluid for the first 40 weeks of its developing life, when it is born, the baby cannot hear well. After a couple of hours, the baby learns to adjust to the distinct new sounds and its hearing is then clearer. The baby's hearing improves in the first year of life. The human voice is the most recognized by a baby.

They tend to be more favorable of a female voice because that is what is heard for the first part of their life. Babies can recognize and respond to their own name by the time they are about a year old. Too much noise can affect the amount that the child can hear. Babies should not be exposed to loud noises, like fireworks, because the ear is very sensitive due to development. Social Behaviors Involuntary expressions are shown by newborns in response to any stimuli that may excite them or frighten them.

Smiling is one of the first facial expressions a baby will show. They usually smile when a liked voice that they herd inside the womb is recognized. Crying is another common response. A baby will cry because it is hungry, has gas, or needs attention.

Crying is more dramatic when the parental figures, more so the mother, is around than anyone else.

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