Critical Period

The critical point in a developing fetus falls roughly within the 5th week and the 6th month. This period is defined as the critical period because beginning around the 5th week tissue begins to differentiate. This specialized tissue starts developing from the top down. Specialized tissues begin forming limbs and digits from the top of the fetus and working its way down to its limbs.
Any agent that causes a birth defect is called a teratogen. Teratogens can vary from chemicals to abnormal heat generated by the mother's body. Defects can be anything from missing limbs to cleft lips or palettes. The degree of severity varies according to the amount of time and the amount of teratogens exposed to.
Alcohol is considered one of the most preventable teratogens, but still effects thousands of babies each year. Fetal Alcohol syndrome is a birth defect caused by consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. The difference between Alcohol and other teratogens......

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Title: Fetus Critical Period
Approximate Word Count: 1189
Approximate Pages: 5 (250 words per double-spaced page)

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