Human postnatal development
the formation of a zygote marks the beginning of the development of a new organism;
the first stage of the child's development consists of the embryonal and foetal phase;
the child's body in the mother's womb develops and changes in order to adapt to a life outside the womb;
the proper development of an embryo and foetus depends on the genetic factors and the lifestyle of the mother.
explain what ontogeny is;
discuss the changes in the body at subsequent stages of development;
describe the changes occurring during the maturation of a human;
explain the importance of physical, mental and social maturation of a human being.
The development of a human being
OntogenesisOntogenesis, also referred to as ontogeny, starts with fertilization and ends with death of an individual. It is composed of two stages of development:
prenatalprenatal – intrauterine, which lasts from fertilization to birth, and
postnatal –postnatal – extrauterine, lasting from birth to death.
The development taking place outside the mother's organism covers successively the following stages: neonatal, infant, toddler, child, adolescence, adulthood, menopause and senescence. From birth, the organism undergoes a number of changes leading to physical, mental and social maturity.
Childhood
The most important stages of development during childhood period are: neonatal, infant, toddler and child.
Stage of development | Developmental Characteristics | |
Physical (physiological) | Mental | |
Neonatal | growth, changes in the structure and functioning of the circulatory system, adaptation of the digestive system to digestion | a need of contact with the mother, recognition of the mother by her voice and smell |
Infant | growth, weight gain, eruption of deciduous teeth, sitting, grasping, walking, reacting to commands, development of cognitive and intellectual abilities, first words | a need to feel safe and a need of contact with the parents |
Toddler | growth, change of body proportions, improvement of physical fitness, muscle gains | development of speech and intellectual abilities, curiosity for the world |
Child | growth, replacement of deciduous teeth with permanent teeth, development of motor coordination, formation of foot arches, bone structure mineralisation | further development of intellectual abilities, memory development, shaping the ability to function in a group, learning through play |
Adolescence
During adolescence, the activity of sex hormones, which are responsible for changes in the structure and functioning of organs (mainly the reproductive system) is increased. Body proportions change, body shape changes and the immune system matures.
The increase in sex hormones also affects mental well‑being of boys and girls. They can be irritable, anxious and suffer from constant mood swings. A child, so far being dependent on their parents, tries to highlight their individuality and ability to make decisions on their own. During that period, friends have a huge impact on the child’s behaviour. A child changes their interests, develops a set of standards and rules.
Adulthood and senescence
At the age of 25, when the body has reached its biological maturity, the next stage of development begins – adulthood. It involves reaching psychological and social maturity, which takes place 3‑4 years after achieving physical maturity. Mental maturity is synonymous to finding emotional balance and acquiring the ability to make independent, responsible decisions. Social maturity determines the ability to work, achieve material independence, adopt specific social roles and norms. The adulthood lasts until about the age of 50.
After adulthood, the menopause begins. It's a stage during which the body gradually begins to undergo physiological changes associated with ageing. The skin slowly becomes less and less firm, wrinkles appear, hair turns grey, metabolic rate decreases, which may lead to weight gains. This stage of development begins in the case of women between 45‑55, and in the case of men between 55‑60 years of age. At this age, the level of sex hormones decreases. As a result, women stop menstruating and ovulating. They can suffer from mood swings, insomnia, alternating hot and cold flashes. Men generally retain the ability to reproduce until late age but their reproductive capacity is significantly reduced. At the age of 65, human body enters the period of senescence. Ageing is associated with decreased regenerative capacity of cells and tissues, decreased in immunity, reduced bone density, which increases their susceptibility to fractures. Vision and hearing deteriorate, physical fitness decreases.
Match the terms with provided definitions
the development of a human organism from the moment of fertilization until death, the development of an organism in the mother’s womb from the moment of fertilization until birth, the development of an organism outside the mother’s womb from the moment of birth until death
| Ontogeny | |
| Prenatal development | |
| Postnatal development |
Match the characteristics with the proper development stage
emergence of the need for individuality, decrease in the level of sex hormones, worsening vision and hearing, multiple increase in size and body weight, reduced bone density, reduced regenerative capacity of cells and tissues, increase in the concentration of sex hormones, readiness to adopt specific social roles and standards, replacement of deciduous teeth with permanent teeth, increased activity of sweat glands, achievement of psychological and social maturity, first changes associated with the body ageing, bone mineralisation, development of speech and intellectual abilities, development of tertiary sex characteristics
| Childhood: | |
|---|---|
| Adolescence: | |
| Adulthood: | |
| Menopause: | |
| Senescence: |
Summary
Human ontogeny starts with fertilization and ends with death.
Ontogeny includes the period of prenatal and postnatal development.
Keywords
development, ontogeny, stage of development
Glossary
ontogeneza – rozwój człowieka obejmujący okres od momentu zapłodnienia do śmierci osobnika
rozwój prenatalny – rozwój organizmu w łonie matki od momentu zapłodnienia do chwili narodzin
rozwój postnatalny – drugi etap rozwoju osobniczego, rozpoczynający się z chwilą narodzin i kończący się z chwilą śmierci