Question

multiple-choice questions

1. juliette is experiencing lifelong physical and mental ab-

normalities because her mother consumed alcohol while
she was pregnant. the alcohol, because of the damage it
caused, is considered a(n)
a. reflex.
b. embryo.
c. teratogen.
d. epigenetic.
e. zygote.

Explanation:

• A reflex is an involuntary and automatic response, which is not related to the damage caused by alcohol during pregnancy.
• An embryo is an early stage of development of a multicellular organism, not the term for a harmful substance like alcohol in this context.
• A teratogen is an agent that can cause malformations or birth defects. Alcohol is a well - known teratogen as it can lead to physical and mental abnormalities in the fetus when consumed during pregnancy.
• Epigenetic refers to changes in gene expression that do not involve changes to the underlying DNA sequence. While epigenetic changes can be influenced by the environment, the more direct term for a harmful substance causing physical and mental issues in the fetus is teratogen.
• A zygote is a fertilized egg, not a term for a harmful agent.

Answer:

C. teratogen