Environmental Influences on Growth

Question 1

Relationships between genotype, phenotype and environment

Answer 1

1. genotype (P) -> genotype (C)
2. genotype (C) -> phenotype
3. phenotype -> environment
4. environment -> phenotype
5. environment -> genotype

Question 2

Hormones and parts of the brain that regulates the hormones for growth

Answer 2

hypothalamus: regulates the hormones for growth (body and the brain)

thyroxine: for brain and muscle development
androgen: for muscle and bone development
growth hormones: for general growth
testosterone: maturation of male reproduction organs
estrogen: maturation of female reproduction organs

Question 3

What are the problems that can be identified through growth monitoring?

Answer 3

1. feeding difficulties
2. chronic illness
3. social deprivation

Question 4

Describe the diseases that are related to nutritions of the child

Answer 4

1. Marasmus:
   -> lack of protein and calories.
   -> with breast milk being the most important source of protein, marasmus happen when mother is separated from the child, or mother herself is malnutritioned.
   -> The size of the baby will shrink (as the protein is used up by the body, when there is insufficient intake of protein)
   -> Even if cured, the child will suffer from biological deficits.
2. Kwashiorkor:
   -> sufficient of calories but not protein.
   -> causes the stomach to swollen and skin lesion
3. Obesity:
   -> over-nutrition of the child due to excess intake of junk food (imbalance of nutrition)
   -> Mostly caused by cultural belief, parenting styles, habit.
   -> hard to make friends

Question 5

Explain how nutritions is one of the most important element for development and short-term growth spurt

Answer 5

-> Malnutrition can cause serious damage to a child especially in the first five years of life.
-> However, children can compensate a short-term malnutrition phase, as long as right diet is provided later (a short growth spurt will be observed).

Question 6

From the gestation in Netherlands, we know that pre-natal environment also affects the ….

Answer 6

genotype of the infant and its gene expression through epigenetics.

Question 7

Describe some illness that children can have

Answer 7

1. Measles/German measles:
   -> highly contagious
   -> spread by saliva
   -> no cure but have vaccinations for prevention
2. Mumps:
   -> spread by saliva
   -> highly contagious
   -> no cure but have vaccinations for prevention
3. non-organic failure to thrive syndrome
   -> children with too much stress and/or too less affection
   -> shortly affects the physical development of the child and the motor coordination ability

Question 8

In what aspects do babies grow rapidly in their first two years

Answer 8

true, brain (last 3 months of pre-natal to 2 years of age)