Environmental and Genetic Impact on Fetal Development - Assignment Example

Introduction Fetal development is majorly affected by the environmental and genetic impacts. These two factors can either impact positively or negatively on the fetus. Some of the environmental influences include: teratogen and nutrition while the genetic impacts include: single-gene defects and chromosomal abnormalities (Laura, 2007). The discussion is based on the description of these factors and also how environmental impacts affect fetal development with the genetic influences.Environmental impacts One of the environmental impacts on a fetus is the mother’s state of nutrition majorly because the mother is the only source through which a fetus receives nutrients.

Incase the mother is receiving less nutrients then the development of the fetus is automatically retarded. In cases of enough nutrients then the development rate is normal (Sleigh, 2005). Teratogen is also a key factor that can affect development of a fetus. Some teratogens occur as a result of infectious agents like viruses. Others occur as a result of the fetus exposure to chemicals like alcohol. These teratogens can bring about defects on the fetus. For instance, alcohol can make a child be born with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).

The effects caused are influenced by the vulnerability of the fetal genetic and the type of the teratogen (Palenchar, 2005). Genetic Impacts Single-gene defects are genetic impacts that are inherited. An example of a single-gene defect is phenylketonuria (PKU) which is caused when the PAH enzyme malfunctions. Single gene defects prevail variably among different races and ethnic groups. For instance, the Tay-Sachs disease occurs most often among the Ashkenaz Jews. These defects mainly affect the young children and these children usually die in their initial years (Pereira and Soria, 2010).

Single-gene defects therefore, cause genetic disorders hence an effect in the fetal development. Chromosomal abnormalities occur at the time of nuclear processes of fertilization. The zygotes that carry chromosomal abnormalities do not usually develop to embryos. However, some chromosomal abnormalities like the Trisomy 21 rae usually carried up to the fetal stage. Such abnormalities are responsible for the birth defects (Laura, 2007).Conclusion In summary, it can be noted that environmental impacts can have both good and bad effects on genetic impacts.

For instance, infectious teratogens like the viruses and bacteria can give room for genetic impacts like chromosomal abnormalities to occur easily (Pereira and Soria, 2010). ReferencesLaura .E. Berk. (2007). Development Through the Lifespan. Illinois: Illinois State University.Palenchar, D. R. (2005). Teratogen. Encyclopedia of Human Development. Retrieved from the Walden Library using SAGE Reference Online: Pereira E. & Soria J. (2010). Handbook of prenatal diagnosis: methods, issues and health impacts.

New York: Nova Biomedical BooksSleigh M. J. (2005). Fetus. Encyclopedia of Human Development. Retrieved from the Walden Library using SAGE Reference Online: