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: -Ionizing radiation damages the genetic material in reproductive cells and results in mutations that are transmitted from generation to generation.

Detailed explanation-3: -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-4: -When ionising radiation acts upon gonads or germ cells, it may cause damage to the genetic material (mutations) which can lead to genetically induced diseases (hereditary defects).

Detailed explanation-5: -Chemicals. Chemical mutagens are chemicals that have been shown to cause mutations. Some chemicals are also carcinogens and can cause cancer in humans, like the ones in cigarette smoke discussed above [2].