1. Physical Development
Endocrine System: group of endocrine glands that secrete chemicals called hormones
Pituitary Gland: master endocrine gland that produces growth hormone
Thyroid Gland: also involved in growth
Ovaries and Testes: are endocrine glands responsible for development of reproductive system prenatally and sexual development during adolescence

2. Brain Development
Cerebral Cortex: largest structure of human brain; has two hemispheres
Lobes: frontal, occipital, temporal and parietal
Lateralization: specialization of the functions of the two hemispheres
Plasticity: openness of brain cells to positive and negative environmental influences

3. Changes in Neurons
Neuron: nerve cell that handles information processing
Axon: carries signals away from cell body
Dendrites: carries signals toward cell body
Myelin sheath: layer of fat cells that encases many axons
Terminal button: releases neurotransmitters into synapses, or gaps between neuron’s fibers.

4. Influences on Early Physical Growth
Sensitive period: Romanian orphanage studies
Heredity:
catch-up growth: physical growth that returns to a genetically determined path after being delayed by environmental factors
Nutrition: breast vs. bottle feeding
Malnutrition: marasmus and kwashiorkor

5. Principles of Growth
Cephalocaudal: earliest growth always occurs at the top, the head
Proximodistal: growth starts at center of body and moves toward extremities
Orthogenetic: development starts globally and undifferentiated

6. Newborn Capabilities
Reflex: unlearned and involuntary response to a stimulus
Survival Reflexes: breathing, eye blink and sucking
Primitive Reflexes: no apparent adaptive function

7. Physical Behavior
Developmental Norm: age at which half of US infants master particular motor milestones
Gross Motor Skills: involve large muscles and whole body or limb movements; mastered before fine motor skills
Fine Motor Skills: involve precise movements of hands, fingers, feet or toes

8. Emergence of Motor Skills
Dynamic Systems Approach: view of development as a self-organizing process; use sensory feedback to modify motor behavior in adaptive ways