Question

Which statement concerning neurologic and sensory development in the fetus is correct?

a.Brain waves have been recorded on an electroencephalogram as early as the end of the first trimester (12 weeks of gestation).
b.Fetuses respond to sound by 24 weeks of gestation and can be soothed by the sound of the mother's voice.
c.Eyes are first receptive to light at 34 to 36 weeks of gestation.
d.At term, the fetal brain is at least one third the size of an adult brain.

Answer 1

The correct answer is 'b. Fetuses respond to sound by 24 weeks of gestation and can be soothed by the sound of the mother's voice,' aligning with the sensory developments noted in the 21-30 week stage of fetal development.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct statement concerning neurologic and sensory development in the fetus is b. Fetuses respond to sound by 24 weeks of gestation and can be soothed by the sound of the mother's voice. This is during the fetal stage when many sensory developments are occurring, including the senses of touch and hearing. By 24 weeks, the fetus has developed the ability to hear, and thus respond to sounds outside the womb. This timeline aligns with fetal development as described in various sources, such as during the 21-30 week period where the fetus experiences rapid weight gain and the bone marrow begins erythrocyte synthesis. Moreover, by the end of the second trimester, the fetus regularly exhibits movements that the mother can feel, further confirming a well-developed sensory nervous system at this stage.