AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Mutations are caused by environmental factors known as mutagens. Types of mutagens include radiation, chemicals, and infectious agents. Mutations may be spontaneous in nature.

Detailed explanation-2: -Mutations can also occur as the result of exposure to environmental factors such as smoking, sunlight and radiation. Often cells can recognise any potentially mutation-causing damage and repair it before it becomes a fixed mutation.

Detailed explanation-3: -Mutations can result from errors in DNA replication during cell division, exposure to mutagens or a viral infection. Germline mutations (that occur in eggs and sperm) can be passed on to offspring, while somatic mutations (that occur in body cells) are not passed on.

Detailed explanation-4: -Many mutations are caused by environmental factors. Mutations caused by environmental factors are generally induced mutations. Any outside agent that causes a change in DNA is called a mutagen. Mutagenic substances include radiation, chemicals, and high temperatures.