teratogenic

Thân thiện

A scientist carefully labels a teratogenic substance in the laboratory.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Causing malformations in an embryo or fetus: Relating to or denoting substances, agents, or factors that can cause physical or functional abnormalities in a developing embryo or fetus. A teratogenic effect disrupts normal prenatal development.

Usage and Examples

• Adjective:
  • Thalidomide is a famously teratogenic drug that caused severe birth defects.
  • Pregnant women are advised to avoid alcohol due to its teratogenic potential.
  • The study aimed to determine if the new chemical compound was teratogenic in laboratory animals.

Advanced Usage

• "teratogenic risk": The probability or likelihood that an exposure will cause developmental abnormalities.
  • The medication's label clearly states its teratogenic risk for women of childbearing age.
• "teratogenic agent" / "teratogenic substance": A specific chemical, drug, infectious agent, or physical factor known to cause birth defects.
  • Rubella virus is a known teratogenic agent that can affect fetal heart and eye development.
• "teratogenic effect": The specific abnormal outcome or malformation caused by the agent.
  • The primary teratogenic effect of the toxin was on the developing nervous system.

Variants and Related Words

• Teratogen (noun): The substance or agent itself that causes the malformation.
  • Alcohol is a potent teratogen.
• Teratogenicity (noun): The capability or property of causing developmental malformations.
  • Researchers tested the compound's teratogenicity in a zebrafish model.
• Teratogenesis (noun): The process or origin of the development of congenital malformations.
  • The lecture covered the mechanisms of teratogenesis.

Synonyms

• Embryotoxic: Harmful to the embryo (note: this is a broader term that includes lethal effects, not just malformations).
• Developmental toxicant: An agent that is toxic to the developing organism.

Related Phrases and Collocations

• Teratogenic potential: The inherent capability of a substance to cause birth defects.
  • All new pharmaceuticals are screened for teratogenic potential.
• Teratogenic exposure: The instance or period during which a developing organism is subjected to a teratogen.
  • The most critical period for teratogenic exposure is often during the first trimester.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. of or relating to substances or agents that can interfere with normal embryonic development