Final answer:
The rooting reflex in young infants is the behavior in which an infant turns her head and opens her mouth in response to their cheek being touched, which aids in breastfeeding and survival. Therefore correct option is D
Step-by-step explanation:
In young infants, the rooting reflex refers to the behavioral process where an infant will turn her head and open her mouth when her cheek is touched. This is an instinctive behavior that helps infants locate the nipple to feed. When an infant's cheek is stroked, the baby automatically orients its head in that direction and may begin to suck, demonstrating the sucking reflex. Both of these reflexes are crucial for an infant's survival as they facilitate feeding and thus, nutrition intake right from birth.
These reflexes, alongside others like the grasping reflex, where a baby will instinctively close their hand around a finger placed in their palm, and the Moro reflex, where an infant will spread their arms out and then pull them back in usually followed by crying in response to the sensation of falling, are important for maintaining close physical contact with a caregiver and for an infant's survival.