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FIRST NAME LAST NAME

Prof. Elizabeth B. Hall

Principles of Biology Lab

DAY February YEAR

Lab 1 Submission

Part A: Background Information

1. Definition of Teratogen.

In the fields of developmental biology and medicine, a teratogen is any substance that can harm a

developing fetus by causing birth defects or other serious problems during pregnancy. These

agents can be many things, such as drugs, chemicals, pollutants in the environment, and some

diseases. Teratogens can affect a fetus's normal development, which could cause birth defects,

mental disabilities, or even a miscarriage. Teratogens can affect fetal development in different

ways, depending on when the fetus is exposed, how much is taken, and its genetic make-up.

Thalidomide is a well-known example of a drug that can cause birth defects. Thalidomide was

first sold in the late 1950s as a safe way for pregnant women to calm down and get rid of

morning sickness. However, it was later discovered that taking it during the first three months of

pregnancy could lead to serious birth defects, especially problems with the legs. The thalidomide

tragedy made it clear how important it is to test drugs thoroughly and keep an eye on them by the

government, especially when they are meant to be used by pregnant women. It also led to stricter

drug approval processes being put in place around the world to make sure that similar disasters

don't happen again. Resource: https://deohs.washington.edu/teris

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2. Why is it possible that a substance used by the mother might affect the developing fetus

and/or embryo?

Because of several biological factors, a substance used by the mother can influence the

developing fetus and embryo the following:

 Shared Bloodstream: If something gets into the mother's bloodstream, it can get into the

fetal circulation through the placenta. The placenta does protect the baby in some ways,

but a lot of things can get through it.

 Critical Developmental Stages: The fetus goes through important stages of development

while the mother is pregnant. During these times, organs and systems start to form. Being

exposed to harmful substances at these times can stop development from going as it

should.

 Metabolic Capacity: Because its liver and other organs aren't fully developed yet, the

fetus can't break down some chemicals very well. This can make the substances more

dangerous for the fetus than for the mother.

 Genetic Susceptibility: The fetus' genotype could make it more likely to be affected by

some teratogens than the mother, which could cause birth defects.

 Concentration Gradient: Some chemicals may build up more in the fetal tissue than in the

mother's, which means that the fetus is exposed to more of them.

 Inflammatory Tolerance: The fetus's immune system isn't fully developed yet, which

makes it more likely to be hurt by teratogens that can cause mutations or cell damage.

Resource: https://deohs.washington.edu/teris
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3. How could a drug like Thalidomide, that caused such terrible malformations, still be

justifiably used today?

Thalidomide was first used to treat birth defects but is now controlled and used for its anti-

inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, which make it especially useful for treating

cancers like multiple myeloma and some complications of leprosy. It has also been shown to

help with some HIV-related conditions, skin conditions that cause inflammation, and other

illnesses. In modern medicine, it is strictly controlled by rules like the Risk Evaluation and

Mitigation Strategies (REMS) in the US to make sure it is not used while pregnant.

Resource: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26625812

Part B: Taking it Further

What are some of the things that might disrupt normal fetal or embryonic development?

Various factors, known as teratogens, can cause disruptions in normal fetal or embryonic

development. Some factors that can contribute to health issues are medications, pollutants,

diseases, nutritional deficiencies, and radiation exposure. Factors such as maternal stress and

substance abuse during pregnancy can have a detrimental impact on the developing fetus. The

first trimester is a crucial time as it marks the development of vital organs.

Resource: https://embryo.asu.edu/pages/fetal-programming
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Some substances that have been used by pregnant women are listed below:

Original Use Effect on Fetus (what & when) Current Use

1. Thalidomide Sedative and Causes severe birth defects, Treatment for multiple
treatment of morning especially when taken during the myeloma and complications of
sickness. first trimester (20th to 36th day leprosy.
after conception).
Reference URL: Reference URL:
https://embryo.asu.ed Reference URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/b
u/pages/thalidomide- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bo ooks/NBK539693
embryopathy oks/NBK582976/

2. Accutane Isotretinoin was Isotretinoin causes birth defects Isotretinoin is still used to treat
approved by the FDA in up to 35% or more of infants severe cystic acne under the
in 1982 for the whose mothers are exposed iPLEDGE program to prevent
treatment of severe, during pregnancy, with risks its use during pregnancy.
resistant, nodular even if taken for a short time.
acne. Reference URL:
Reference URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/b
Reference URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bo ooks/NBK582775/
https://www.ncbi.nlm oks/NBK582775/
.nih.gov/books/NBK
525949/

3. Alcohol Historically, alcohol Alcohol can cause a range of Alcohol remains widely
has been consumed developmental problems in the consumed for recreational and
for its properties as a fetus, known as Fetal Alcohol social purposes, despite known
beverage, for social Spectrum Disorders (FASD), health risks associated with
and ceremonial when consumed during excessive consumption.
purposes, and for its pregnancy.
psychoactive effects. Reference URL:
Reference URL: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/
Reference URL: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fas
https://www.ncbi.nlm d/index.html
.nih.gov/books/NBK
217463/

4. Folic Acid Folic acid, the Folic acid is crucial for pregnant Folic acid is widely
synthetic form of women as it significantly recommended for women of
folate, is vital for new reduces the risk of neural tube childbearing age to prevent
cell creation and was defects in the fetus when taken birth defects and is also used to
first used to prevent before conception and during fortify foods.
anemia. early pregnancy.
Reference URL:
Reference URL: Reference URL: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fs265
https://www.hsph.har https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fs265
vard.edu/nutritionsou
rce/folic-acid/.

5. Tetracycline Tetracycline was Tetracycline can affect fetal Today, tetracycline is still used
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originally developed development, leading to dental to treat bacterial infections,
as an antibiotic to staining, bone growth inhibition, including respiratory challenges
treat various bacterial and possibly liver toxicity when in veterinary medicine.
infections due to its taken during pregnancy.
broad spectrum of Reference URL:
activity. Reference URL: https://open.lib.umn.edu/swined
https:// rugs/chapter/tetracyclines/
Reference URL: www.urmc.rochester.edu/
https://microbiology. encyclopedia/content.aspx?
weill.cornell.edu/tetra ContentTypeID=90&ContentID
cyclines-antibiotic- =P09519
action-uptake-and-
resistance-
mechanisms
6. DES DES was synthesized Associated with the development In the late 1970s, the FDA
(diethylstilbestrol) in the late 1930s and of vaginal cancer in pubescent granted approval for the use of
was prescribed to children whose mothers were DES in the United States
prevent miscarriages exposed to DES during exclusively for the treatment of
and later as a pregnancy. postmenopausal breast cancer,
contraceptive pill and post-partum lactation
to treat breast cancer. Reference URL: repression, and metastatic
https://embryo.asu.edu/pages/die prostate cancer.
Reference URL: thylstilbestrol-des-us
https://embryo.asu.ed Reference URL:
u/pages/diethylstilbes https://embryo.asu.edu/pages/di
trol-des-us ethylstilbestrol-des-us

7. Caffeine Caffeine has been Excessive maternal caffeine Caffeine is widely consumed in
consumed since at consumption, more than 300 mg beverages such as coffee, tea,
least 207 BC in daily, is associated with and energy drinks for its ability
China through tea increased risk of low birth to increase alertness and
leaves. It became weight and spontaneous physical performance.
popular in coffee abortion.
around 1000 AD. Reference URL:
Reference URL: https://www.fda.gov/food/dieta
Reference URL: https://touroscholar.touro.edu/sjl ry-supplement-ingredient-
https://opentextbooks cas/vol11/iss2/8/ directory/pure-and-highly-
.clemson.edu/hlth400 concentrated-caffeine
0holcombtugman/cha
pter/caffeine/
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Part C: Putting it all together

Why would a substance that affects the embryo in the first few weeks of development have

a greater affect than one that affects the fetus later in the pregnancy?

Exposure to teratogens in the early stages of pregnancy is very important because this is when

organogenesis happens, which means that organs are being formed. During this time, the

embryo's basic structures are being formed. If this process is interrupted, it can cause serious

birth defects or problems with how the embryo works. As development goes on, organs become

more differentiated and less likely to be affected by these kinds of foundational changes.

However, harmful substances can still influence them.

Resource: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK115573/