Mutagenic

Mutagenic

A Mutagen is a physical or chemical agent that changes the genetic material, usually DNA, of an organism and thus increases the frequency of mutations above the natural background level. As many mutations can cause cancer, mutagens are therefore also likely to be carcinogens, although not always necessarily so. Not all mutations are caused by mutagens: so-called "spontaneous mutations" occur due to spontaneous hydrolysis, errors in DNA replication, repair and recombination.

Types of Mutagens

Mutagens can be classified into two broad groups: physical mutagens and chemical mutagens.

Physical Mutagens

Physical mutagens are sources of energy that can cause changes in the DNA structure. They include:

• Ultraviolet radiation
• Ionizing radiation

Chemical Mutagens

Chemical mutagens are chemicals that can cause changes in the DNA structure. They include:

• Base analogs
• Alkylating agents
• Intercalating agents

Effects of Mutagens

Mutagens can cause changes in the DNA sequence, the genetic material of organisms. These changes, or mutations, can lead to alterations in the structure and activity of the proteins that the genes code for. Mutations can also lead to cancer, as they can cause cells to divide and grow in an uncontrolled way.

See Also

• Carcinogen
• DNA repair
• Genetic recombination
• Mutation

References

Mutagenic Resources
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