The ultrasound report tells Shaniqua and Carlotta that their developing infant is about one inch long and has eyes, a nose, lips, little arms and legs, and a beating heart. Given this information, the current period of prenatal development is the _____ period.

• A. germinal
• B.  preoperational
• C.  end of the fetal
• D.  embryonic

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the stages of prenatal development: The three main stages are the germinal, embryonic, and fetal periods.
2. The germinal period is the first two weeks after conception, characterized by rapid cell division and the beginning of cell differentiation.
3. The embryonic period lasts from the third to the eighth week after conception. During this time, major organs and structures begin to develop, including the heart, eyes, arms, and legs.
4. The fetal period begins at the ninth week and continues until birth. This stage is marked by the growth and maturation of the already formed structures.
5. Given the description of the developing infant having eyes, a nose, lips, little arms and legs, and a beating heart, these features align with the embryonic period, where these structures are formed.