Final answer:
Critical periods are times during development when environmental influences can have a major impact on development. For example, exposure to alcohol during a specific critical period can lead to significant facial abnormalities in offspring.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to this question is B. critical periods. Critical periods are times during development when environmental influences can have a major impact. These periods are crucial for the proper development of specific parts or organs in the fetus. For example, research has shown that exposure to alcohol during a specific critical period can lead to significant facial abnormalities in the offspring. It is important to note that critical periods can vary depending on the specific aspect of development being studied.