teratogen

Friendly

Explanation of the Word "Teratogen"

Definition:
A teratogen is a substance or factor that can cause problems in the normal development of a baby while it is still in the womb (the mother’s belly). These problems can lead to birth defects, which are physical or health issues that a baby is born with.

Usage Instructions:

• Part of Speech: Noun
• How to Use: You can use "teratogen" when discussing things that might harm a developing fetus (unborn baby) during pregnancy. It is often used in medical or scientific contexts.

Example Sentence:

• "Doctors advise pregnant women to avoid alcohol because it is a known teratogen that can cause serious developmental issues in the baby."

Advanced Usage:

In advanced discussions, you might see "teratogen" used in research papers or medical studies. For example: - "The study explored various teratogens and their effects on fetal development, highlighting the importance of prenatal care."

Word Variants:

• Teratogenic (adjective): This describes something that has the potential to cause birth defects.

  • Example: "Certain medications are teratogenic and should be avoided during pregnancy."

• Teratogenicity (noun): This refers to the ability of a substance to cause birth defects.

  • Example: "The teratogenicity of the drug was evaluated in clinical trials."

Different Meanings:

While "teratogen" primarily refers to substances that cause developmental issues, it can sometimes be used in broader contexts to discuss anything that disrupts normal development, though this usage is less common.

Synonyms:

• Birth defect-causing agent
• Developmental disruptor
• Embryotoxic agent

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "teratogen," but you might encounter phrases like "take precautions" or "be mindful of," which relate to avoiding teratogens during pregnancy.

Summary:

In summary, a teratogen is anything that can harm a developing baby, leading to birth defects.

Academic

Noun

1. any agent that interferes with normal embryonic development: alcohol or thalidomide or X-rays or rubella are examples