What term is used for anything that could lead to the death of an organism?

The term "lethal" refers to anything that has the potential to cause death in an organism. This could encompass various factors including environmental hazards, pathogens, toxins, or even specific genetic traits that can result in high mortality rates. The lethal nature of these items or situations is a crucial consideration in fields such as ecology, medicine, and biology, as it directly relates to the survival and fitness of organisms within their ecosystems.

In contrast, the other terms listed have more specific meanings. "Teratogenic" refers to agents that cause malformations in developing embryos or fetuses. "Mutagenic" pertains to substances that cause changes or mutations in the DNA of an organism, potentially leading to cancer or other genetic diseases, but not necessarily immediate death. "Pathogenic" describes organisms or agents that cause disease, which can sometimes lead to death, but not all pathogens are lethal. Thus, "lethal" is the most appropriate term for anything that could lead to the death of an organism, as it encompasses a broader range of lethal factors.