AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Anything in the environment that can cause a mutation is known as a mutagen. Examples of mutagens are pictured in the Figure below. Examples of Mutagens. Types of mutagens include radiation, chemicals, and infectious agents.

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: -(MYOO-tuh-jen) Anything that causes a mutation (a change in the DNA of a cell). DNA changes caused by mutagens may harm cells and cause certain diseases, such as cancer. Examples of mutagens include radioactive substances, x-rays, ultraviolet radiation, and certain chemicals.

Detailed explanation-4: -Environmental mutagens, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and heterocyclic amines are known to bind to nucleotides, resulting in the formation of DNA adducts. Some DNA adducts are fixed as mutations through replication of DNA.