Effects, Exposure, Causes and Repair Mechanisms of Mutagens

Mutagens have several effects and causes, and many of the causes are common, everyday occurrences. This article will reflect on mutagens in regard to their effects, exposure, differences, causes, and repair mechanisms

Mutagens are environmental causes that bring about mutations in genetic codes. Some factors that act as mutagens are radiation, viruses, drugs, pollutants, and food additives. Mutagens are the primary cause of mutations, and they can affect people either somatically causing such illnesses as cancer or in a germinal state causing genetic disorders in children.

Exposure to mutagens may occur as an egg or sperm, or they may occur environmentally to the person they are effecting. Viruses are a mutagen that effect many people through the passing of germs and sexual intercourse. Food additives are in many of the foods we eat, and pollutants such as cigarette smoke or car fumes are around us at all times.

The two types of mutations are chromosomal and gene mutations. Chromosomal mutations are caused by a damaged or broken chromosome that is not repaired (Mutation, mutagen, and DNA repair). Gene mutations are caused when changes of in the nitrogen bases in the gene occur. Damage reversal and damage removal are two repair systems used for mutations (Mutation, mutagen, and DNA repair). Damage reversal occurs when "enzymatic action restores normal structure without breaking the backbone," and damage removal requires the removal of a base or section of nucleotides. Damage tolerance is not a type of repair, but it is practiced by dealing with the mutation (Mutation, mutagen, and DNA repair).

Mutations occur in genes and chromosomes, and these changes in structure effect humans in several ways. Mutagens cause mutations in humans, and they are everywhere we turn. There are few processes for repairing mutations, but tolerance of the mutations is also a common practice. It is interesting to consider if the mutagens are causing evolution or devolution of mankind. Perhaps both are occurring as environmental factors affect the DNA of man, and mutations occur in all areas of life.

Reference

Mutation, Mutagens, and DNA Repair." Personal Web Pages . N.p., n.d. Web. 3 May 2011.