What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
teratogen
Example
Exposure to alcohol during pregnancy can be a teratogen and cause fetal alcohol syndrome. [teratogen: noun]
Example
The doctor warned the pregnant woman to avoid teratogenic substances such as certain medications and chemicals. [teratogenic: adjective]
mutagen
Example
Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is a mutagen that can cause skin cancer. [mutagen: noun]
Example
The scientist studied the effects of mutagenic chemicals on fruit flies to observe genetic mutations. [mutagenic: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Mutagen is more commonly used than teratogen in scientific contexts, as genetic research is a rapidly growing field. However, both terms are relatively uncommon in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between teratogen and mutagen?
Both teratogen and mutagen are technical terms used in scientific contexts and are therefore considered formal language.
