Lifespan Development - Physical Development

Question 1

What skills mature quickly post-birth?

Answer 1

Sensory and motor

Question 2

At what age does neurogenesis peak?

Answer 2

2

Question 3

Describe how brain size fluctates across lifespan.

Answer 3

• 25% adult weight at birth, 80% at 2 yrs
• Brain shrinks post-30 due to neuronal loss, which accelerates post-60. Compensation via new connections and hippocampal neurogenesis.

Question 4

Describe apoptosis. What are the benefits and drawbacks?

Answer 4

• DNA damage, cell metabolism issues, and immune cell signals destroy neurons
• +: develop nervous system and kill damaged cells
• -: Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, Parkinson’s, ALS

Question 5

What sense is least developed at birth?

Answer 5

Vision (adult acuity age 7/8)

Question 6

What are the stages of three cues that develop depth perception?

Answer 6

kinetic -> binocular (2-3 mo.) -> pictorial (5-6 mo.)

Presbyopia (farsightedness) around age 40.

Question 7

What sense is close to adult acuity at birth?

Answer 7

Hearing

Question 8

How does auditory localization develop over time?

Answer 8

Declines 2-4 mo., then re-emerges and fully develops by 1 yr.

Question 9

How does hearing loss impact seniors?

Answer 9

• Linked to changes in size/quality of social life, leading to isolation/loneliness
• Linked to risk of Alzheimer’s and NCD

Hearing loss is significant after 75.
Presbycusis: high frequencies

Question 10

What sense develops in utero?

Answer 10

Touch

Early pain influences later response (more response for full-term).

Question 11

Describe the motor milestones.

Answer 11

• 1-3 mo: chest up prone, rolling
• 4-5 mo: sits with support, braces during fall
• 7-9 mo: sits w/o support, sits/kneels, creeping, starts standing
• 10-12 mo: some independent steps
• 13-15 mo: walks well and while carrying toys
• 16-18 mo: stairs, runs
• 19-30 mo: kicking, throwing, jumping
• 31-36 mo: walks with swinging arms, tricycle, catching
• 4 yrs: balance, hopping
• 5 yrs: heel-toe

Question 12

What causes SIDS?

Answer 12

Serotonin issues in medulla

Question 13

What risk factors are associated with SIDS?

Answer 13

• male
• black
• Indigenous
• under 6 mo.
• premie
• SU during pregnancy

Question 14

What protective factors are associated with SIDS?

Answer 14

• Breastfeeding
• Temperature regulation