Chapter 3 Flashcards
(21 cards)
cephalocaudal development
the principle that growth proceeds from the head downward; the head and upper regions of the body develop before the lower regions
proximodistal development
the principle that growth and development proceed from the center of the body outward
growth norm
the expectation for typical gains and variations in height and weight for children based on their chronological age and ethnic background
hormone
a chemical that is produced and secreted into the bloodstream to affect and influence physiological functions
puberty
the biological transition to adulthood, in which hormones cause the body to physically mature and permit sexual reproduction
hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis
the collective effects of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and gonads behaving in cooperation in regulating the hormones that drive puberty
testosterone
the primary male sex hormone responsible for development and regulation of the male reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics
estrogen
the primary female sex hormone responsible for development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics
adolescent growth spurt
the first outward sign of puberty, refers to a rapid gain in height and weight that generally begins in girls at about age 10 and in boys about age 12
secondary sex characteristics
physical traits that indicate sexual maturity but are not directly related to fertility, such as breast development and the growth of body hair
primary sex characteristics
the reproductive organs; in females, this includes the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and vagina and in males, this includes the penis, testes, scrotum, seminal vesicles, and prostate gland
menarche
first menstrual period
secular trend
the change from one generation to the next in an aspect of development, such as body size or in the timing of puberty
senescence
a pattern of gradual age-related declines in physical functioning
sarcopenia
the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength
menopause
the end of menstruation and a woman’s reproductive capacity
free radical
a highly reactive, corrosive substance that forms when a cell is exposed to oxygen; through chemical reactions, free radicals destroy DNA, proteins, and other cellular materials
telomere
a type of DNA that caps both chromosomes and shortens with each cell division; eventually telomeres shorten past a critical length and cause the cell to stop duplicating
marasmus
a wasting disease in which the body’s fat and muscle are depleted; growth stops, the body wastes away, taking on a hollow appearance
kwashiorkor
a malnutritive disease in children caused by deprivation of protein and calories and characterized by lethargy and the bloating and swelling of the stomach
body mass index
a measure of body fat based on weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared
