Teratogens Flashcards
1
Q
What are teratogens? How can they have an effect?
A
Teratogens are toxic substances that can affect embryonic and fetal development when taken during pregnancy.
These teratogens can be:
- Pharmacological
- Recreational
- Infectious agents
- Environmental hazards
The effect that these substances can have of the baby vary from person to person depending on:
- Organism
- Genetic susceptibility
- Timing
- Organ-specificity
- Dosage
- Physiological state of the mother
- Cumulative risk
2
Q
Are teratogens alone the only variable to have to be taken into consideration when studying humans?
A
When studying humans and teratogens relation, we can’t take into consideration the single case, but we have to make large cohorts to have a better understanding on the causes and effects that teratogens may have on human development.
