EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Gene mutations resulting from radiation-induced damage to DNA have been produced experimentally in many types of organisms. In general, the frequency of a given mutation increases in proportion to the dose of radiation in the low-to-intermediate dose range.

Detailed explanation-2: -Environmental exposures such as tobacco smoke, UV light, and aristolochic acid can result in increased mutation rates in cancer genomes. Mutation rates across individuals are also impacted by variability in the activity of certain cellular processes.

Detailed explanation-3: -Ionizing radiation directly affects DNA structure by inducing DNA breaks, particularly, DSBs. Secondary effects are the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that oxidize proteins and lipids, and also induce several damages to DNA, like generation of abasic sites and single strand breaks (SSB).

Detailed explanation-4: -Mutation rate is a measure of the rate at which various types of mutations occur over time. It is affected by temperature, X-rays and -and -radiation.

Detailed explanation-5: -In April 1986, an accidental reactor explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in present-day Ukraine exposed millions of people in the surrounding area to radioactive contaminants. “Cleanup” workers were also exposed. Such radiation is known to cause changes, or mutations, in DNA.