1. Which definition describes object permanence
A. Infants develop an understanding that objects that are out of sight still exist Correct
B. Infants develop a fear of unfamiliar objects
C. Infants can work with objects without having prior experience
D. Infants have a cognitive understanding that solid objects cannot move through each other
Explanation
Object permanence is the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are no longer visible, audible, or tangible. This cognitive milestone, first described by Jean Piaget, typically develops around 8-12 months of age during the sensorimotor stage. Infants who have achieved object permanence will search for a hidden toy, showing they know it still exists somewhere. This ability is fundamental to developing a stable mental representation of the world and supports later skills like memory, exploration, and problem-solving. B) Infants develop a fear of unfamiliar objects → This describes stranger anxiety or neophobia, which emerges around 6-12 months as infants become more aware of familiar vs. unfamiliar people/objects, but it is unrelated to permanence. C) Infants can work with objects without having prior experience → This refers to trial-and-error learning or sensorimotor exploration, but it does not capture the concept of understanding existence beyond perception. D) Infants have a cognitive understanding that solid objects cannot move through each other → This describes the concept of object solidity or physical constraints, which infants demonstrate early through surprise at violations, but it is distinct from permanence.
2. What is neuroplasticity of the brain
A. Reduction of neural connections in the brain
B. Process of localization of functions to one side of the brain
C. Formation of connections between neurons Correct
D. Differentiation of neural stem cells in the brain
Explanation
Neuroplasticity is the brain's lifelong ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. This process allows the brain to adapt to new experiences, learn new information, recover from injury, and compensate for changes due to aging or disease. It involves synaptic plasticity (strengthening or weakening connections), neurogenesis (new neuron formation in certain areas), and structural changes like dendritic growth. A) Reduction of neural connections in the brain → This describes synaptic pruning, which eliminates unused connections to increase efficiency, but it is only one aspect of plasticity, not the overall process. B) Process of localization of functions to one side of the brain → This refers to lateralization, where functions like language become more dominant in one hemisphere, but it is not plasticity itself. D) Differentiation of neural stem cells in the brain → This is neurogenesis, a component of plasticity, but not the full definition.
3. What is the initial cell that contains the genetic information of both parents
A. Embryo
B. Trophoblast
C. Blastocyst
D. Zygote Correct
Explanation
The zygote is the single cell formed when a sperm fertilizes an egg, combining genetic material from both parents (23 chromosomes each) to create a full set of 46 chromosomes. It is the very first cell of a new organism and begins dividing to form the embryo. A) Embryo → This stage begins after the zygote implants and starts developing into a multi-cellular structure, but it does not represent the initial single cell. B) Trophoblast → This is the outer layer of the blastocyst that forms the placenta, not the initial cell containing both parents' genetics. C) Blastocyst → This is a hollow ball of cells that develops from the zygote around day 5, but it is not the very first cell.
4. How does synaptogenesis contribute to brain growth from the prenatal period through toddlerhood
A. It is the formation of connections between neurons Correct
B. It is the positioning of brain functions to one side of the brain
C. It is the brain's capability to changing in response to sensory stimuli
D. It is the blooming period of the neural growth
Explanation
Synaptogenesis is the rapid formation of synapses (connections) between neurons, which explodes during prenatal development and continues intensely through toddlerhood. This process creates trillions of connections, allowing the brain to grow in complexity, form neural circuits for learning, memory, movement, and sensory processing. Peak synaptogenesis occurs in early childhood, followed by pruning of unused connections. B) It is the positioning of brain functions to one side of the brain → This describes lateralization, not synaptogenesis. C) It is the brain's capability to changing in response to sensory stimuli → This refers to neuroplasticity, the broader ability to adapt, not specifically synaptogenesis. D) It is the blooming period of the neural growth → This describes exuberant synaptogenesis or synaptic blooming, but the core process is connection formation.
5. What is an example of a basic emotion of fear in infants
A. Social referencing
B. Stranger wariness Correct
C. Self-awareness
D. Emotional self-regulation
Explanation
Stranger wariness (stranger anxiety) is a basic fear response that emerges around 6-12 months, where infants show distress, crying, or withdrawal when approached by unfamiliar people. This is an adaptive emotion that protects the infant by signaling caution around strangers once attachment to caregivers is formed. A) Social referencing → This is when infants look to caregivers for emotional cues about uncertain situations, not a fear emotion itself. C) Self-awareness → This develops around 18 months (rouge test), not a fear response. D) Emotional self-regulation → This is the ability to manage emotions, emerging later, not a basic fear emotion.