Question

Teratology deals with
(a)Developmental abnormalities
(b)Aging
(c)Hairs
(d)Improvement of the human race

Answer 1

The word Teratology originated from Greek, in which ‘terat’ means ‘sign from gods’, and ‘ology’ means ‘the study of a certain subject. Teratology is also related to other fields of science such as embryology and genetics.

Complete answer:
Teratology is known as the study of hereditary and embryonic abnormalities. It can be also defined as the study of congenital human abnormalities or the study of birth defects In common terms.
Teratology is also related to abnormal growth such as growth retardation, intellectual deformities, or other genetic aberrations without any physical abnormalities.

Additional Information: -Agents that can cause birth defects by toxically effecting an embryo are called teratogens. Some common teratogens are mercury, alcohol, lead, and polychlorinated biphenyls.
-During the 17th century, teratology was related to any extraordinary or abnormal phenomena. By the 19th century, it was used more significantly for biological distortions, especially in botany.
-The teratogenic potential of environmental substances is studied using model animals such as rats, mice, monkeys, and apes.
So, the correct answer is ‘developmental abnormalities’.

Note: -Alcohol is a common teratogen where Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) causes birth defects and neurodevelopmental abnormalities.
-Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) is an organic chlorine compound with high teratogenic potential, which is mainly used as a coolant fluid in the electrical apparatus.
-Lead is also a common teratogen which is indicated with the symbol Pb. Along with teratogenic potential, lead can also cause metal toxication which is typically identified by the blue lining on gums and eyes.