AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -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-2: -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-3: -Substances known to cause cancer are called carcinogens. Coming into contact with a carcinogen does not mean you will get cancer. It depends on what you were exposed to, how often you were exposed, and how much you were exposed to, among other things.

Detailed explanation-4: -Some carcinogens cause cancer by changing a cell’s DNA. Others do not affect DNA directly, but lead to cancer in other ways. For example, they may cause cells to divide at a faster than normal rate, which could increase the chances that DNA changes will occur.

Detailed explanation-5: -A carcinogen is any substance or agent that has the potential to cause cancer. Common carcinogens include alcohol, tobacco, processed meats, UV rays, radon, and asbestos.