Prenatal Development: A Comprehensive Guide to Human Development Before Birth

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a critical period during prenatal development?

Accepted Answer

Infancy (after birth)

Answer

Embryonic period (weeks 3-8)

Answer

Fetal period (weeks 9-38)

Question 2

Which of these is not a stage of prenatal development?

Accepted Answer

Postnatal

Answer

Embryonic

Answer

Fetal

Answer

Zygote

Question 3

What is the name of the fluid-filled sac that surrounds and cushions the developing fetus during pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Amniotic sac

Answer

Placenta

Answer

Umbilical cord

Answer

Fetal membrane

Question 4

Which hormone is primarily responsible for stimulating the production and release of breast milk?

Accepted Answer

Prolactin

Answer

Estrogen

Answer

Progesterone

Answer

Oxytocin

Question 5

Which of the following is the last major organ system to develop during the fetal stage?

Accepted Answer

Respiratory system

Answer

Nervous system

Answer

Circulatory system

Answer

Digestive system

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a sign of impending labor?

Accepted Answer

Loss of appetite

Answer

Regular, intense contractions

Answer

Water breaking

Answer

Increased vaginal discharge

Question 7

Which of the following is the primary female sex hormone?

Accepted Answer

Estrogen

Answer

Progesterone

Answer

Testosterone

Answer

Androgen

Question 8

During which trimester does the developing fetus acquire its distinct facial features?

Accepted Answer

Second Trimester

Answer

First Trimester

Answer

Third Trimester

Question 9

Which hormone is crucial for maintaining the uterine lining during pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Progesterone

Answer

Estrogen

Answer

Testosterone

Question 10

Which structure encloses and safeguards the developing embryo in the early stages?

Accepted Answer

Amniotic Sac

Answer

Yolk Sac

Answer

Umbilical Cord

Question 11

Approximately how long is the gestation period in humans?

Accepted Answer

280 days

Answer

240 days

Answer

365 days

Question 12

What process describes the fertilized egg's attachment to the uterine lining?

Accepted Answer

Implantation

Answer

Fertilization

Answer

Embryogenesis

Question 13

Which organ facilitates the exchange of oxygen and nutrients between the mother and the growing fetus?

Accepted Answer

Placenta

Answer

Amniotic Sac

Answer

Yolk Sac

Question 14

What stage of prenatal development involves the formation of the blastocyst, inner cell mass, and trophoblast?

Accepted Answer

Blastocyst

Answer

Zygote

Answer

Morula

Question 15

Which process allows the embryo to absorb nutrients from the mother's blood?

Accepted Answer

Diffusion

Answer

Osmosis

Answer

Active Transport

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a type of teratogen?

Accepted Answer

Exercise

Answer

Alcohol

Answer

Caffeine

Answer

Medications

Question 17

Which of these harms a baby's development before birth?

Accepted Answer

Breathing secondhand smoke

Answer

Taking folic acid

Answer

Eating healthy food

Answer

Managing stress

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a stage of human prenatal development?

Accepted Answer

Infancy

Answer

Germinal

Answer

Embryonic

Answer

Fetal

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a physical characteristic observed during the fetal stage of development?

Accepted Answer

Ability to breathe independently

Answer

Development of distinct facial features

Answer

Formation of fingers and toes

Answer

Presence of a beating heart

Question 20

Which hormone plays a vital role in sustaining pregnancy and preparing the body for childbirth?

Accepted Answer

Progesterone

Answer

Estrogen

Answer

Testosterone

Question 21

Prenatal genetic testing can be used to identify:

Accepted Answer

Both of the above

Answer

Genetic disorders

Answer

Birth defects

Question 22

Advancements in prenatal care have contributed significantly to:

Accepted Answer

Both of the above

Answer

Reduced infant mortality

Answer

Prevention of birth defects

Question 23

Which stage of prenatal development occurs first, before the formation of an embryo?

Accepted Answer

Zygote period

Answer

Cleavage period

Answer

Embryonic period

Answer

Fetal period

Question 24

During prenatal development, the process of cell division and specialization is known as:

Accepted Answer

Differentiation

Answer

Segmentation

Answer

Gestation

Answer

Morphogenesis

Question 25

Which structure in the prenatal environment is responsible for providing oxygen and nutrients to the developing fetus?

Accepted Answer

Placenta

Answer

Amniotic fluid

Answer

Uterus

Answer

Yolk sac

Question 26

The process by which the embryo attaches to the lining of the uterus is known as:

Accepted Answer

Implantation

Answer

Cleavage

Answer

Gastrulation

Answer

Differentiation

Question 27

The process of giving birth is also known as:

Accepted Answer

Parturition

Answer

Gestation

Answer

Implantation

Answer

Embryogenesis

Question 28

How does plasticity in prenatal development enable the fetus to adapt to both favorable and challenging conditions in the womb? Provide specific examples.

Accepted Answer

Plasticity allows the fetus to repair damaged tissues and generate new ones, enabling adaptation to challenging conditions.

Answer

Plasticity is most prominent in the early stages of prenatal development and decreases as the fetus matures.

Answer

Plasticity ensures that all fetuses develop identically, regardless of individual variations or environmental influences.

Question 29

Which physical and emotional changes are commonly experienced during the second trimester of pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Rapid fetal growth, increased breast size, and mood swings

Answer

Increased appetite, frequent urination, and heightened sense of smell

Answer

Weight gain, morning sickness, and fatigue

Question 30

During which stage of prenatal development do the major organs of the fetus form?

Accepted Answer

Embryonic period

Answer

Germinal period

Answer

Fetal period

Question 31

Which protective membrane surrounds the amniotic fluid and encloses the developing fetus?

Accepted Answer

Amnion

Answer

Chorion

Answer

Placenta

Question 32

Which substance is known to be a major risk factor for fetal alcohol syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Maternal alcohol consumption

Answer

Paternal smoking

Answer

Frequent caffeine intake

Question 33

Which of the following layers of embryonic cells gives rise to the skin, brain, and spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

Ectoderm

Answer

Mesoderm

Answer

Endoderm

Question 34

During which period of prenatal development is the fetus characterized by rapid growth and increased movement?

Accepted Answer

Fetal period

Answer

Embryonic period

Answer

Germinal period

Question 35

What structure provides a connection between the developing fetus and the placenta, allowing for exchange of nutrients and waste?

Accepted Answer

Umbilical cord

Answer

Amniotic sac

Answer

Chorionic villi

Question 36

Which of the following environmental factors is associated with negative effects on prenatal development?

Accepted Answer

Exposure to heavy metals

Answer

Sufficient nutrition

Answer

Proper rest

Question 37

What term describes the process by which embryonic cells develop into specialized tissues and organs with specific functions?

Accepted Answer

Differentiation

Answer

Gastrulation

Answer

Placentation

Question 38

What is a key characteristic of the embryonic stage of prenatal development?

Accepted Answer

Rapid cell division and differentiation

Answer

Development of the placenta

Answer

Formation of all major organs

Question 39

Which of the following represents the initial stage of prenatal development?

Accepted Answer

Zygote

Answer

Fetus

Answer

Embryo

Answer

Blastocyst

Question 40

Which term describes the fertilized egg that implants in the uterine wall?

Accepted Answer

Blastocyst

Answer

Morula

Answer

Zygote

Answer

Embryo

Question 41

Identify the substance that does NOT pose a risk to fetal development as a teratogen:

Accepted Answer

Folic acid

Answer

X-rays

Answer

Rubella

Answer

Alcohol

Question 42

Which hormone is responsible for maintaining the uterine lining during pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Progesterone

Answer

Testosterone

Answer

Estrogen

Answer

Oxytocin

Question 43

Which characteristic is distinctive of the embryonic period?

Accepted Answer

Rapid growth and differentiation

Answer

Fetal movement

Answer

Placenta formation

Answer

Organ development

Question 44

What structure establishes the connection between the fetus and the placenta?

Accepted Answer

Umbilical cord

Answer

Amniotic sac

Answer

Yolk sac

Question 45

Which of the following reflexes is NOT present in newborn babies?

Accepted Answer

Walking

Answer

Rooting

Answer

Grasping

Answer

Sucking

Question 46

Which stage of prenatal development is marked by the differentiation of the three primary germ layers?

Accepted Answer

Embryonic period

Answer

Zygote stage (conception to 2 weeks)

Answer

Fetal period (8 weeks to birth)

Question 47

Which hormone plays a crucial role in maintaining pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Progesterone

Answer

Estrogen

Answer

Oxytocin

Answer

Testosterone

Question 48

Which of the following is a known risk factor for neural tube defects?

Accepted Answer

Inadequate folic acid intake

Answer

Advanced maternal age

Answer

Diabetes

Answer

Maternal obesity

Question 49

What is the primary function of chorionic villi?

Accepted Answer

Facilitate the exchange of oxygen and nutrients

Answer

Produce hormones

Answer

Anchor the embryo to the uterine wall

Answer

Provide protection from infection

Question 50

Which fetal reflex enables the fetus to grasp objects placed in its palm?

Accepted Answer

Palmar grasp reflex

Answer

Moro reflex (startle reflex)

Answer

Rooting reflex

Answer

Stepping reflex

Question 51

According to Piaget's theory, which type of intelligence is primarily observed during early prenatal development?

Accepted Answer

Sensorimotor intelligence

Answer

Linguistic intelligence

Answer

Mathematical intelligence

Answer

Spatial intelligence

Question 52

Which agent has been identified as the primary cause of fetal alcohol syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Alcohol

Answer

Smoking

Answer

Caffeine

Answer

Radiation