Prenatal development is influenced by both nature and nurture. Describe at least two ways in which nature is involved and at least two ways in which nurture is also involved in prenatal physical development

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The response should include at least two ideas each from the "nature" and "nurture" lists below (or reasonable facsimiles):
Nature
? Genes determine many physical characteristics (e.g., hair and eye color, skin tone, height).
? Genetic abnormalities can lead to physical or mental disabilities.
? Various body structures develop in a highly predictable (canalized) manner that is driven by genetic instructions.
? Some aspects of prenatal development are susceptible to environmental conditions (e.g., exposure to rubella) only at particular points in time (reflecting sensitive periods). [Sensitive periods reflect both nature and nurture.]
Nurture
? The quality of nutrition affects genes' ability to carry out their work.
? Environmental toxins (teratogens) may interfere with normal development.
? In the final weeks of the prenatal period, fetuses have some capacity to recognize and remember certain sounds and tastes to which they're exposed while still in the womb.
? Good medical care increases the probability that a healthy baby will be born.
? In some instances surgery can correct structural abnormalities in a growing fetus.
? Some aspects of prenatal development are susceptible to environmental conditions (e.g., exposure to rubella) only at particular points in time (reflecting sensitive periods). [Sensitive periods reflect both nature and nurture.]