The Human Life Cycle
20.3
To view the human life cycle stages, visit the google slides
we made in class by following this link:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1tVlG3CZWiq6_bD
lE1Xa_TKGNsZUZOwEFkaOCeBfMbUw/edit?usp=sharing
Development Before Birth
• Includes stages from fertilization to birth:
– Zygote
– Embryo
– Fetus
• The zygote develops into an embryo and then into a fetus.
• The zygote will divide soon after fertilization and continue until it is a
hollow ball of cells.
• The ball of cells will attached to the uterine wall and develop into a
embryo.
• The embryo will begin to develop organs and continue growing until
finally the fetal stage is reached.
Fetal Development
• Fetus (9wk-birth)
• Early- (9wk- 3rd months) about the size
of a walnut, developing internal organs,
head is about half the size of the total
size, has eye spots, and fingers by the
end of the 3rd month the fetus is about
9 cm long and weighs 26 grams.
• Middle- (4th-6th months) bone
development, heart beat, hair and skin,
arms and legs develop completely,
movement, kicking, by end of 6th month
the fetus is 30 cm long and weighs 700
grams.
• Late- (7th month-birth) lots of growing!
brain development, lung development,
fetus doubles in length and weighs
about 3kg.
Protection and Nourishment
• The membranes and other structures that
form during development protect and
nourish the embryo, and later the fetus.
• Placenta- the link between the embryo and
the mother. The embryo and mother blood
vessels lay next to each other. Nutrients,
oxygen, wastes and carbon dioxide diffuse
between the blood vessels. The blood from
the mother and embryo do not mix.
• Amniotic Sac- membrane that surrounds the
embryo after implantation, develops into a
fluid filled sac. The fluid sac cushions and
protects the developing baby.
• Umbilical cord- ropelike structure that
connects the fetus to the placenta. Contains
blood vessels that link the fetus to the
placenta. The blood stays separated by a thin
barrier that keeps diseases and some
substances out. Other substances are not
kept out and should be avoided by pregnant
women, such as, tobacco, drugs, and alcohol
Birth
• The birth of a baby takes place in three stages:
• Labor- strong muscular contractions of the uterus. Contractions
cause the cervix to enlarge. May last 2-20 hours.
• Delivery- baby is pushed out of the uterus through the vagina. Head
first. The baby is still connected by the umbilical cord. Takes several
minutes to an hour. The cord is clamped about 5 cm from the baby.
After it is cut it will dry up and fall off leaving a scar called the belly
button.
• Afterbirth- about 15 minutes after birth, the uterine contractions
push the placenta out of the uterus.
Birth and the Baby
• Birth is a stressful process for
the baby and the mother.
• The muscle contractions of
labor decrease the oxygen
supply to the baby. In
response to this adrenaline is
released causing the baby’s
heart rate to increase.
• Once the baby begins
breathing and coughing the
fluid that fills the lungs is
replaced with air.
• This slows the baby’s heart
rate and normal gas exchange
begins.
Multiple Births
• Delivery of more than one
baby from a single pregnancy.
Also know as twins.
• 1 out of every 30 born each
year is a multiple birth.
• Identical twins- develop from a
single fertilized egg. Twins
have identical genetics. Will
always be the same sex.
• Fraternal twins- develop from
two fertilized eggs. Twins have
no more genes in common
than siblings. Can be two
different sexes.
Growth and Development
• The changes that take place in
between infancy and adulthood
include physical changes, such as an
increase in size and coordination.
They also include mental changes,
such as the ability to communicate
and solve complex problems.
• Includes stages from birth to death:
– Infancy
– Toddler
– Childhood
– Adolescence
– Young adulthood
– Middle adulthood
– Older adulthood
Development from Birth to Death
• Infancy- characterized by changes in size and shape, coordination of
nervous and muscular systems, crawling and walking, smiling and
laughing, early speech.
• Childhood- continued growth, coordination, curiosity, language
skills. Most children can carry on conversation, and make friends.
• Adolescence- physical and sexual maturity, puberty, hormonal
changes. Ovulation and menstruation. Secondary sex characteristics
develop (deep voice or breast). Sperm production begins.
• Adulthood-begins after puberty. Around the age of 30 aging begins.
Reproductive processes end, hair loses color, skin wrinkles, eyes
lose ability to focus.
