Human biology
Difference between
Cell
Energy, Enzymes and membrane
Plant
Botanical Name
Biodiversity
Symptoms, diseases
Causes
Other Topics
Bio Articles (Alphabetic order)
- Blood Circulatory System
- Blood
- Bones of The Legs
- Bones of The Foot
- Bones of The Ankle
- Bones of Pelvis
- Blood Groups
- Scientific Name of Human Being
- Largest Organ In Human Body
- Largest Internal Organ in The Human Body
- Human Respiratory System
- Human Population
- Human Physiology
- Human Life Cycle
- Human Insulin
- Human Impact on the Environment
- Human Heart
- Human Health and Diseases
- Human Genome Project Goals Significance
- Human Excretory System
- Human Evolution Progress
- Human Ear
- Human Diseases
- Human Digestive System
- Human Circulatory System Transportation
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Human Body
- Effects of Air Pollution on Human Health
Difference between
- Difference between Turner Syndrome and Klinefelter Syndrome
- Difference Between Transpiration and Guttation
- Difference Between Transpiration and Evaporation
- Difference Between Tracheids and Vessels
- Difference Between Thorns and Spines
- Difference Between T Cells and B Cells
- Difference Between Sympathetic and Parasympathetic
- Difference Between Sporophyte and Gametophyte
- Difference Between Spermatogenesis and Oogenesis
- Difference Between Sperm and Ovum
- Difference between Species, Population, and Community
- Difference Between Sleep and Hibernation
- Difference Between Saturated and Unsaturated Fats
- Difference Between Rust and Smut
- Difference Between Right and Left Lung
- Difference Between Replication and Transcription
- Difference Between Renewable and Non Renewable Resources
- Difference Between Red and White Muscle
- Difference Between Radicle and Plumule
- Difference Between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Transcription
- Difference Between Plasma and Serum
- Difference Between Pharynx and Larynx
- Difference Between Organs and Organelles
- Difference Between Open and Closed Circulatory Systems
- Difference Between Ocean and Sea
- Difference Between Monocytes and Lymphocytes
- Difference Between Mitochondria and Chloroplast
- Difference Between Lytic and Lysogenic Cycle
- Arteries and Veins Difference
Cell
- Growth and Development of an organism
- Meiosis Cell Division
- Cellular Respiration Concept Map
- Cell Signalling
- Cell Organelles
- Cell Cycle and Cell Division
- Cell Biology
Energy, Enzymes and membrane
Plant
- Scientific Names of Animals and Plants
- Plant Respiration
- Plant Physiology
- Plant Life Cycle and Alternation of Generations
- Plant Kingdom Plantae
- Plant Growth Regulators
- Plant Fibres
- Mendelian Inheritance Using Seeds of Different Colours Sizes of Any Plant
- Grassland Dominant Plants
- Effects of Air Pollution on Plants
- Biodiversity In Plants and Animals
Botanical Name
- Mustard Botanical Name
- Marigold Botanical Name
- Chilli Botanical Name
- Botanical Name of Tea
- Botanical Name of Sugarcane
- Botanical Name of Soybean
- Botanical Name of Rose
- Botanical Name of Rice
- Botanical Name of Pea
- Botanical Name of Lady Finger
- Botanical Name of Groundnut
- Botanical Name of Grapes
- Botanical Name of Coffee
- Botanical Name of Cabbage
- Botanical Name of Banyan Tree
- Botanical Name of Bajra
Biodiversity
- Biodiversity Pattern Species
- Biodiversity Conservation
- Biodiversity and Conservation Concept Map
- Biodiversity
Symptoms, diseases
- Hormones Heart Kidney GI
- Blood Cancer
- Arthritis
- Aids and Hiv
- Nervous System Diseases
- Modes of Transmission of Diseases
- Migraine Symptoms
- Menopause Symptoms
- Lysosomal Storage Disease
- Lung Diseases
- Lung Cancer Symptoms
- Hyperthyroidism Symptoms
- Hypertension Symptoms
- Chicken Pox Symptoms
- Blood Pressure Symptoms
- Arthritis Symptoms
- Appendicitis - Formation, Symptoms, Treatment
- Anemia Symptoms
- Acidity Symptoms Causes and Risk Factors involved
Causes
Other Topics
Bio Articles (Alphabetic order)
- Antigens and Immunology
- Scientific Name of Vitamins
- Scientific Name of Neem
- Schistosomiasis Life Cycle
- Scabies Life Cycle
- Salient Features of The Kingdom Monera
- Saddle Joints
- Root Modifications
- Role of Microbes In Food Processing
- RNA: World Genetic Material
- Rna Interference
- Ringworm
- Rigor Mortis
- Retrovirus
- Respiratory Quotient
- Respiratory and Lung Volumes
- Adolescence Secondary sexual characteristics
- Prolactin Hormone
- Productivity In Ecosystem
- Prions
- Principles of Treatment
- Principles of Prevention
- Principles of Inheritance and Variation
- Principles of Genetics
- Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia
- Prepare Pedigree Charts of Any One of the Genetic Traits Such as Rolling Of Tongue, Blood Groups, Ear Lobes, Widow’s Peak and Colour Blindness
- Prepare A Temporary Mount of The onion Root Tip To Study Mitosis
- Preparation and Study of Transverse Section of Dicot and Monocot Roots and Stems
- Pregnancy Parturition Lactation
- Neural Control and Coordination
- Nervous Tissue
- Nervous System Definition
- Nervous System Coordination
- Nervous System
- Nerves
- Nephron Function Renal Tubules
- Nephritis
- Nematoda
- Need For Hygiene and Sanitation
- Natural Selection Biological Evolution
- Natural Disasters
- National Parks and Sanctuaries
- Mycology
- Myasthenia Gravis
- Mutualism
- Mutation Genetic Change
- Mutagens
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Muscle Contraction Proteins
- Mountains and Mountain Animals
- Morphology and Anatomy of Cockroach
- Monohybrid Cross - Inheritance of One Gene
- Molecular Basis of Inheritance
- MOET Technology - Multiple Ovulation Embryo Transfer Technology
- Modern Synthetic Theory of Evolution
- Miller Urey Experiment
- Micturition - Urination Process
- Microfilaments
- Microbodies
- Metabolism Metabolic Pathways
- Metabolism Living State Basis
- Mendelian Disorders
- Melatonin Hormone
- Meiosis Phases
- Meiosis I - Stages and Process
- Megafauna
- Measles
- Mayfly Life Cycle
- Mass Flow Hypothesis
- Mass Extinctions
- Marine Biology
- Mammalia Diversity In Living Organisms
- Malthusian Theory of Population
- Male Sex Hormone
- Macromolecule
- Luteinizing Hormone
- Lung Cancer
- Love Hormone
- Locust Life Cycle
- Lizard Life Cycle
- Living Fossil
- Lipoproteins
- Lipids
- Lipid Peroxidation
- Linkage Recombination
- Life Cycle of Living Organism
- Lice Life Cycle
- Leprosy
- Length of Epididymis
- Leishmania Life Cycle
- Leg Muscles
- Law of Segregation and Law of Dominance
- Law of Independent Assortment
- Hypothyroidism
- Hypothalamus
- Hypogeal Germination
- Hypocalcaemia
- Hypertension
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Hydroponics
- Hydrarch Succession
- Horses and Donkeys Same Species
- Hormonal Disorders
- Hormones Secreted by Non-Endocrine
- Hookworm Life Cycle
- Honey Bee Life Cycle
- Homo erectus
- Homeostasis
- History of Clothing Material
- Characteristics and classification of Gymnosperms
- Guttation
- Griffith Experiment: The Genetic Material
- Grazing Food Chain
- Grasshopper Life Cycle
- Gram Positive Bacteria
- Gout
- Gonorrhea
- Gonads
- Goiter
- Embryology
- Embryo Development
- Elisa Technique
- Electron Transport Chain
- Electrocardiograph
- Effects of Water Pollution
- Effects of Waste Disposal
- Effects of Wastage of Water
- Effects of Plastics
- Life Cycle of Chicken
- Chemotrophs
- Chemiosmotic Hypothesis
- Centromere
- Central Dogma Inheritance Mechanism
- Cartilaginous Joints
- Carnivores and Herbivores
- Cardiac Output
- Carbon Cycle
- Carbohydrate Metabolism
- Can a Community Contain Two Populations of the Same Species?
- Bt Crops
- Bryophyta
- Blastocyst
- Bird Life Cycle
- Biotechnology Jobs
- Biotechnology Agriculture
- Biosafety Issues
- Bioreactor Obtaining Foreign Gene
- Biopiracy
- Biomolecules In Living Organisms
- Biomes of The World
- Biomass Definition Ecology
- Biofortification
- Asteraceae Brassicaceae Poaceae
- Ascaris Life Cycle
- Artificial Pollination
- Archaebacteria
- Apoptosis Definition, Pathway, Significance, and Role
- Apoplast and symplast pathway
- AntiMullerian Hormone (AMH)
- Antimicrobial Resistance
- Antibiotics
- Ant Life Cycle
- Annelida Meaning, Classification, Types, and FAQs
- Animal Nervous System
- Animal Kingdom Concept Map
- Animal Kingdom : Animalia Subphylum
- Animal Kingdom
- Animal Husbandry: Types and Advantages
- Animal Husbandry and Poultry Farming & Management
- Angina Pectoris
- Anatomy and Morphology of Animal Tissues
- Anagenesis
- An overview of Anatomy, its types and their applications
- Amphibolic Pathway
- Amphibia
- Amoebiasis
- Ammonotelism
- Ammonification
- Amino acids Properties, Functions, Sources
- Amensalism
- Alternatives To Dams
- Allergies Autoimmunity
- Allee Effect
- Alimentary Canal Anatomy
- Algae Definition, Characteristics, Types, and Examples
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse Measures for Prevention and Control
- Air Pollution Definition, Causes, Effect and Control
- Agriculture Seeds Selection Sowing
- Agriculture Practices - Organic Farming & Irrigation
- Agriculture Fertilizers
- Agricultural Implements and Tools
- Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration Major Differences
- Advantages of Dams
- Adolescence and Drug Abuse
- Adh Hormone
- Adaptive Radiation Evolution
- Acth Hormone
- Acromegaly Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
- Acquired and Inherited Traits
- Acoustic Neuroma Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis
Mutagens
Introduction
In the field of genetics, mutagen can be physical, chemical or biological agents present in the genetic material of an organism, to be precise in the DNA. The presence of these products is responsible for enhancing the rate of mutations in the cells. These mutations are often harmful to the cells and can cause very adverse effects on the health of an inspanidual. Some of the common examples of mutagens are radioactive products, xrays, and chemicals and ultraviolet radiation.
What are mutagens?
Mutagens are termed the products that are harmful to the genetic material, especially DNA, these results in abnormapties in genetic materials, which can either be inherited or can be non-inherited. Various processes are responsible for measuring the aspects and the rate of mutations in DNA. Various physical and chemical objects cause mutations in the genetic material of the human body.
These mutations are mostly done by external products pke ultraviolet rays, harmful chemicals, etc. These mutations can cause fatal illnesses pke cancer. Every mutagen has characteristic mutational signatures. The process of modification of DNA is called mutagenesis.
Discovery of Mutagens
The very first of the mutagens had pnks with carcinogenic products, which were discovered more than 2000 years before the discovery of DNA. However, the knowledge of carcinogens and radioactivity was unknown during that time, and the effect of these products was recorded throughout history. According to Barnes et al. (2018), the cancer-causing mutagens are called carcinogens.
One of the most finely documented cases of exposure to mutagens can be found in the case of miners that used to work in poorly ventilated minding fields. These miners were noted to have wasting disease.
After a thorough study, it was concluded that the miners were identified to have been affected by lung cancer. This was caused because of the accumulation of radon, radon is known to be a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas and this gas is classified as a health hazard due to its radioactivity.
Types of Mutagens
Mutagens can be subcategorized into three different forms; this classification is done based on its source of origin. Three different mutagens are mentioned below −
Figure 1: Types of mutagens
Physical mutagens − The physical mutagens include ionizing radiation, such as x-rays, alpha particles, and gamma rays. The ultraviolet radiation can also act pke potential mutagens. This section also includes various other high energy radiations and it rises in temperature.
Chemical mutagens − Various elements pke arsenic, nickel, and chromium are considered as chemical mutagens. Organic compounds pke benzene can be considered mutagenic.
Biological mutagens − The biological mutagens involve transposons and viruses. Furthermore, certain bacteria pke Hepcobacter pylori can increase the risk of causing stomach cancer.
Effects of Mutagens
Mutagens are products that modify and alter the genetic material of an organism. Hence, these products are called genotoxic.
Mutagens are responsible for inciting carcinogenic responses or impair functions of certain genes. They can also override the functionapty of a gene thereby causing multiple critical medical conditions
The effects of the mutagens vary from one organism to the other. A mutagen can be harmful and can have a carcinogenic impact on one organism but can be positively effective for another organism
Some of the mutagens can also cause silent mutations, it shows no visible effects as it mostly impacts the non-coding DNA.
Protection against Mutagens
However, There is no distinct ways to stay protected against the mutagens that are present in the external ambiance. The effects of mutagens can be mitigated with the help of antioxidants. These antioxidants are found in fruits and vegetables and these are responsible for prohibiting the onset of cancer.
Mutagens in Anti-cancer roles
Certain mutagens are quite toxic to propferating cells. Hence, they are used to eradicate cancer cells. However, these mutagens are also known to impact noncancerous cells leading to undesirable side effects such as hair loss.
Figure 2: ionizing radiation
Conclusion
Mutagens are the products that are harmful to the genetic material of inspaniduals. Al thought the effect varies from one organism to the other, but mostly the sudden mutations that are caused by the mutagens are harmful to the organisms. These mutagens can be of three different types based on their agents, that is, physical, chemical, and biological mutagens. The effects of some of these mutagens can be countered with the help of antioxidants that is present in fruits and vegetables. The most prominent impact of these mutagens is cancer which can be solved using chemotherapy that is carried out by ionizing radiation which affects the cancer-causing cells and halts their further reppcation.
FAQs
Q1. What are genotoxic substances?
Ans. Mutagens are the products that are responsible for altering or changing the genetic material or an organism, these products are generally toxic to the DNA. These products can cause cancer and cause birth defects.
Q2. How does mutagen cause cancer?
Ans. The mutagens alters the structure of the DNA and at times, they can affect the functionapty of the genetic materials. These sudden mutations lead to abnormapties in DNA that further cause cancer in the patients.
Q3. How does sunpght act as a mutagen?
Ans. The sunrays that hit our skin have UV rays that act as mutagens. These ultraviolet rays can damage the DNA by prolonged exposure under the sunpght. It enhances the risk of skin cancer.
Q4. What are the different examples of mutagens?
Ans. Mutagens can be classified into three categories namely physical, chemical, and biological particles. Physical mutagens include particles pke X-rays, gamma rays and alpha particles. Chemical mutagens include particles pke arsenic, nickel, and chromium. Biological mutagens include particles pke transposons and viruses.