17. How do teratogens affect prenatal development?
Answer: C
Teratogens can cause malformed facial features in newborns.
Teratogens are substances that can cause physical or functional abnormalities in a developing fetus, leading to various birth defects, including malformed facial features. This effect underscores the critical role of maternal health and environmental factors during pregnancy.
A) They can cause depression in newborns
While teratogens can impact neurological development, leading to a range of behavioral issues, they are not directly linked to causing depression in newborns. This option misrepresents how teratogens primarily affect physical and cognitive development rather than emotional or psychological states.
B) They can cause anoxia in newborns
Anoxia refers to a lack of oxygen, which can occur during childbirth due to various complications but is not a direct effect of teratogens. Teratogens primarily cause structural malformations rather than physiological conditions like anoxia, making this option incorrect.
C) They can cause malformed facial features in newborns
This option correctly identifies a major consequence of teratogen exposure during pregnancy. Certain teratogens, such as alcohol, can disrupt normal facial development, leading to recognizable deformities such as those seen in fetal alcohol syndrome.
D) They can cause autism in newborns
While some studies suggest a possible link between teratogen exposure and the risk of autism, the evidence is not definitive, and autism is primarily a neurodevelopmental disorder with multifactorial origins. Therefore, this option does not accurately encapsulate the primary effects of teratogens.
Conclusion
The correct answer, C, highlights the specific and well-documented impact of teratogens on physical development, particularly in creating facial malformations. Other options either misinterpret the effects of teratogens or address issues not directly caused by them, reinforcing the importance of understanding the concrete developmental risks associated with teratogen exposure during pregnancy.