Associate Safety Professional Practice Exam

What defines a teratogen?

1. A chemical that preserves genetic integrity

2. A chemical that causes fetal damage without generational effects

3. A chemical that enhances fetal development

4. A chemical that has no effect on fetuses

The correct answer is: A chemical that causes fetal damage without generational effects

A teratogen is defined as a substance that can cause developmental abnormalities or damage to a developing fetus when exposure occurs during pregnancy. The correct answer highlights that a teratogen can lead to fetal damage but does not necessarily exhibit generational effects; that is, the damage typically affects only the current pregnancy rather than causing hereditary changes in future generations. By recognizing that teratogens specifically relate to the disruption of normal fetal development, it becomes clear that they can lead to various outcomes, such as physical malformations or functional deficits, depending on several factors including the timing and level of exposure during pregnancy. In contrast, other choices do not align with this definition—options describing a chemical that preserves genetic integrity, enhances fetal development, or has no effect on fetuses miss the critical aspect of teratogenicity, which is the potential to harm rather than help.