TERATOGENY Meaning and
Definition
-
Teratogeny, also known as teratogenesis, refers to the study or the process of producing congenital abnormalities or birth defects in developing embryos or fetuses. It is the branch of developmental biology that explores and analyzes the causes, mechanisms, and effects of physical or environmental factors that result in malformations or functional impairments in the embryonic stage of development.
The term "teratogeny" comes from the Greek words "teras," meaning monster, and "genesis," meaning origin or production. It encompasses a wide range of agents or exposures that can disrupt the normal growth and development of an embryo, leading to malformations in the structure or functioning of organs or systems. These agents can include physical factors such as radiation, chemicals, drugs, infectious agents, or maternal diseases and nutritional deficiencies.
The effects of teratogeny can vary greatly depending on the timing, duration, and dose of exposure. Some teratogens may cause obvious abnormalities, while others may lead to more subtle but significant impairments that may only become apparent later in life. The study of teratogeny involves evaluating the teratogenic potential of various agents through experimental studies, epidemiological investigations, and clinical observations.
Understanding teratogeny is crucial in identifying and avoiding potential hazards that may harm the developing embryo, particularly during pregnancy. It plays a fundamental role in public health, medical genetics, and reproductive medicine by providing knowledge and guidelines to minimize the risks to the developing fetus and optimize birth outcomes.
Common Misspellings for TERATOGENY
- teratogeni
- reratogeny
- feratogeny
- geratogeny
- yeratogeny
- 6eratogeny
- 5eratogeny
- twratogeny
- tsratogeny
- tdratogeny
- trratogeny
- t4ratogeny
- t3ratogeny
- teeatogeny
- tedatogeny
- tefatogeny
- tetatogeny
- te5atogeny
- te4atogeny
- terztogeny
Etymology of TERATOGENY
The word "teratogeny" is derived from the combination of two Greek words: "teratos" meaning "monster" or "malformation", and "genesis" meaning "origin" or "birth". Put together, "teratogeny" refers to the study or process of the origin or production of monsters or malformations. It is most commonly used in the context of embryology and reproductive biology to describe substances or factors that can cause birth defects or abnormalities in developing fetuses.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
