Question

Suzana's unborn child is in the period during which the major organs and systems are forming and developing. This is also a time when the unborn child is most vulnerable to the influence of teratogens. Which prenatal developmental period is this?

Germinal
Embryonic
Fetal
Zygotic

Answer 1

Suzana's unborn child is in the embryonic stage of prenatal development, which is from weeks 3-8 post-fertilization. During this phase, the embryo is highly susceptible to teratogens that can disrupt organ development.

Step-by-step explanation:

Prenatal Developmental Periods

Suzana's unborn child is in the embryonic stage of prenatal development. This period runs from weeks 3-8 post-fertilization and is characterized by the rapid development and formation of major organs and systems. During this critical period, the embryo is particularly sensitive to the effects of teratogens, which are substances that can cause congenital abnormalities. The risk for severe effects on the developing fetus is significant if these teratogens cause disruptions to the chemical signaling that guides organogenesis.

Exposure to harmful environmental factors at this embryonic stage can lead to devastating outcomes, including the potential for miscarriage or the possibility of birth defects if the embryo survives. It is important to note that organ systems are structured in their rudimentary form by the end of the embryonic period, making this a vital phase for the health of the developing baby.

The embryonic stage is followed by the fetal stage, which begins from the ninth week of gestation until birth, where growth and development continue but the primary structures have already been established.