Question

The term teratogen refers to any environmental agent that causes damage during the prenatal period.

1. Why is it difficult to determine the effects of prenatal exposure to some environmental agents, such as drugs, diseases, and pollution?

2. Can genes influence the extent to which the developing organism is affected by teratotogens?

3. Generate a list of factors that might contribute to a developing babys susceptibility to the effects of teratogens.

Answer 1

1. It is often difficult to determine the effects of prenatal exposure to some environmental agents early. Early detection helps to take precautionary measures but since it is the prenatal period, there are limitations for the prenatal tests in providing complete information regarding the effect of teratogens. We often do not know to what all agents the mother has been exposed. Thus , it is difficult to administer the right test. Also, in most cases, the effect of the teratogen will manifest only during the postnatal period or when the child grows up. Many of the effects can also be psychological and behavioural, which cannot be determined during prenatal period.