Question 1

With a few exceptions, all neurons are formed early in development.When does this milestone occur?

Accepted Answer

Most neurons are formed by the end of the second trimester of pregnancy, during fetal development.

Question 2

Physical development is a very uneven process in which different body systems grow at different rates.Which of the following examples is an accurate description of this process?

Accepted Answer

The head and brain of a child grow more rapidly than the rest of the body, reaching closer to adult size and proportions earlier in development. This is a key aspect of human physical development, reflecting the importance of brain development in early life.

Question 3

By what month of age are 90 percent of typical infants able to roll over?

Accepted Answer

By 5 months of age, 90 percent of typical infants have developed enough muscle strength and coordination to roll over.

Question 4

What is the term for cells that nourish neurons and encase them within insulating sheets of myelin?

Accepted Answer

Glial cells are responsible for nourishing neurons and encasing them within insulating sheets of myelin, which helps to speed up the transmission of electrical signals along nerve cells.

Question 5

How do children's growth rates change as they move from infancy into the preschool years?

Accepted Answer

Growth rates slow down as children move from infancy into the preschool years. During infancy, children experience rapid growth in both height and weight. As they transition into the preschool years, the rate of growth decreases, although it remains steady.

Question 6

The emergence of which motor skill lies behind the increasingly skillful manipulation of dials, knobs, and small objects such as raisins, which occurs near the end of the first year?

Accepted Answer

The pincer grasp, which develops around 9 to 12 months of age, allows infants to manipulate small objects with greater skill. This fine motor skill involves using the thumb and one finger (usually the index finger) to pick up objects, enabling actions like turning dials or picking up small items like raisins.

Question 7

What conclusion regarding the role of maturation in motor development is supported by Dennis's classic studies of Iranian orphans?

Accepted Answer

Dennis's classic studies of Iranian orphans support the conclusion that maturation is necessary but not sufficient for motor development. These studies showed that without the opportunity to practice motor skills, even if children reach the appropriate age for certain motor milestones, they may not achieve them, indicating that practice and environmental interaction are also crucial.

Question 8

Which statement best summarizes the research findings of Kolb and colleagues with respect to the effects of experience on brain development?

Accepted Answer

Kolb and colleagues' research found that both enrichment (positive experiences) and deprivation (lack of stimuli) can significantly impact the brain's development, affecting its size and structure. This demonstrates the brain's plasticity in response to environmental factors.

Question 9

Of the following parts of the body, which would be the last to come under voluntary control?

Accepted Answer

The development of motor skills in infants and young children typically progresses from the center of the body outward and from the head down. This means that control over the hips and shoulders develops before control over the arms, and control over the arms develops before control over the fingers. Thus, the fingers would be the last to come under voluntary control.

Question 10

Which endocrine gland plays a signalling role to some endocrine glands, thus serving as a "master gland"?

Accepted Answer

The pituitary gland is often referred to as the "master gland" because it controls several other hormone glands in the body, including the thyroid and adrenals, by secreting various hormones that regulate their function.

Question 11

During which phase of development do children experience the slowest rate of growth?

Accepted Answer

During the elementary school years, children experience the slowest rate of growth compared to the rapid growth seen in early infancy, the steady growth of toddlerhood, and the growth spurts associated with the preschool years.

Question 12

What does cerebral lateralization refer to?

Accepted Answer

Cerebral lateralization refers to the specialization of the two hemispheres of the brain in controlling different functions. Each hemisphere is responsible for different tasks and processes information differently, contributing to a wide range of abilities and behaviors.

Question 13

Which of the following best characterizes the term puberty?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following best characterizes the...

Question 14

Which of the following best summarizes the research findings regarding predictive factors of future obesity in children?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that the amount of time children spend watching television is a significant predictive factor for future obesity, as it is associated with sedentary behavior and increased exposure to unhealthy food advertisements.

Question 15

Which principle of development does the disproportionately large size of the neonate's head relative to his or her trunk and legs reflect?

Accepted Answer

The cephalocaudal principle of development states that growth follows a pattern that begins with the head and upper body parts and then proceeds to the rest of the body. This principle explains why a neonate's head is disproportionately large compared to the trunk and legs.

Question 16

In which direction does cephalocaudal development proceed?

Accepted Answer

Cephalocaudal development proceeds from the top of the body downward, meaning that development starts at the head and progresses towards the feet.

Question 17

During which phase of development do children experience the most rapid rate of growth?

Accepted Answer

Children experience the most rapid rate of growth during early infancy, which includes the first year of life, and early adolescence, which marks the onset of puberty. These periods are characterized by significant physical, cognitive, and emotional changes.

Question 18

What property of the brain accounts for the finding that young children often show more rapid and complete recovery of function after brain injury than do adults?

Accepted Answer

The brain's reserve capacity and plasticity allow it to adapt and reorganize itself, especially in young children, facilitating more rapid and complete recovery after injury compared to adults.

Question 19

Which of the following statements accurately describes individual variations in physical growth and development?

Accepted Answer

Individual rates of development can indeed contribute to differences in areas such as cognition, reflecting the complex interplay between physical growth and cognitive development. Rates of growth and development are not universal (B is incorrect), as they can be influenced by a variety of factors including nutrition, environment, and social conditions. There are meaningful cultural and subcultural variations in physical growth and development (C is incorrect), as these factors can influence diet, lifestyle, and access to healthcare, among other things. Lastly, individual variation in physical growth and development is not controlled solely by hereditary factors (D is incorrect); environmental factors also play a significant role.

Question 20

Which motor behaviour is exhibited by 90 percent of typically developing infants by 15 months of age?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which motor behaviour is exhibited by 90...

Quiz 6: Physical Development: the Brain, Body, Motor Skills, and the Beginnings of Sexual Development