AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Any substance that causes cancer is known as a carcinogen. But simply because a substance has been designated as a carcinogen does not mean that the substance will necessarily cause cancer.

Detailed explanation-2: -A carcinogen is a substance, organism or agent capable of causing cancer. Carcinogens may occur naturally in the environment (such as ultraviolet rays in sunlight and certain viruses) or may be generated by humans (such as automobile exhaust fumes and cigarette smoke).

Detailed explanation-3: -Simply because a substance has been designated as a carcinogen, however, does not mean that the substance will necessarily cause cancer. Many factors influence whether a person exposed to a carcinogen will develop cancer, including the amount and duration of the exposure and the individual’s genetic background.

Detailed explanation-4: -Carcinogens are substances that can possibly cause cancer due to the damage they cause to DNA inside the cells. DNA tries to repair itself, but it sometimes can’t because of the problems carcinogens have caused. Ultimately, cancer grows.