Mutagens
Mutagens
Mutagens (/mjuːˈtædʒənz/) are physical or chemical agents that can cause genetic mutations. They are capable of altering the DNA sequence of an organism, leading to changes in the genetic information that can be inherited.
Etymology
The term "mutagen" is derived from the Latin word "mutare", meaning "to change", and the Greek suffix "-gen", meaning "producer of". It was first used in the mid-20th century to describe substances that can induce genetic mutations.
Types of Mutagens
There are several types of mutagens, including:
- Chemical Mutagens: These are substances that can cause DNA damage through various mechanisms, such as base modification, intercalation, or DNA crosslinking.
- Physical Mutagens: These include radiation sources like X-rays, ultraviolet light, and radioactive substances, which can cause DNA damage by breaking the DNA strands or altering their structure.
- Biological Mutagens: These include certain viruses and bacteria that can cause mutations by integrating their own genetic material into the host's DNA.
Related Terms
- Mutation: A change in the DNA sequence of a gene or chromosome.
- Carcinogen: A substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue.
- Teratogen: An agent or factor which causes malformation of an embryo or fetus.
- Genotoxicity: The property of chemical agents that damages the genetic information within a cell causing mutations.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Mutagens
- Wikipedia's article - Mutagens
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