DNA damage
Broken genetic code
DNA damage refers to any alteration to the chemical structure of DNA—the molecule carrying genetic information.
Damage can come from external sources like radiation and toxic chemicals, or internal processes like replication errors.
Cells have repair mechanisms, but accumulated or unrepaired damage can lead to mutations, aging, and cancer.
UV exposure causes DNA damage that may result in skin cancer.
Gradual functional decline with age
- apoptosisProgrammed cell death
- autophagyCellular self-degradation process
- progeriaGenetic rapid-aging condition
- free radicalsChemically reactive atomic fragments
Two matched nucleotides bonded
- nucleotideGenetic code subunit
- nonsenseMeaningless words or actions
- frameshiftAltered reading of codons
- insertionPlacing something within
deletion · point mutation · double-strand break · crosslink · adduct · lesion · mutagenesis · mutagen
Energy propagation through space
- ultravioletWavelengths shorter than violet
- gamma raysHighest-frequency electromagnetic radiation
- ionizing radiationElectron-displacing electromagnetic energy
- radonRadioactive inert gas
carcinogens · mutagens · free radicals · heavy metals · tobacco smoke · benzene · asbestos · environmental toxins
Malignant transformation process
- oncogeneTumor-inducing genetic element
- tumorAbnormal tissue mass
- metastasisCancer spreading beyond origin
- malignantHarmfully invasive, often fatal
neoplasm · mutation · chemotherapy · radiotherapy · immunotherapy · tumor suppressor · BRCA · carcinoma
senescence
Gradual functional decline with age
base pair
Two matched nucleotides bonded
- nucleotideGenetic code subunit
- nonsenseMeaningless words or actions
- frameshiftAltered reading of codons
insertion · deletion · point mutation · double-strand break · crosslink · adduct · lesion · mutagenesis · mutagen · translocation
radiation
Energy propagation through space
- ultravioletWavelengths shorter than violet
- gamma raysHighest-frequency electromagnetic radiation
- ionizing radiationElectron-displacing electromagnetic energy
radon · carcinogens · mutagens · free radicals · heavy metals · tobacco smoke · benzene · asbestos · environmental toxins
carcinogenesis
Malignant transformation process
- oncogeneTumor-inducing genetic element
- tumorAbnormal tissue mass
- metastasisCancer spreading beyond origin
malignant · neoplasm · mutation · chemotherapy · radiotherapy · immunotherapy · tumor suppressor · BRCA · carcinoma · adenocarcinoma
polymerase
Nucleic acid synthesis enzyme
- checkpointInspection station on route
- ATMAutomated banking kiosk
- radiation effectsradiation sickness, health effects, hair loss, nausea, vomiting
- Genome Instabilitymutation, mutations, deletions, insertions, translocations
- radiobiologyradiobiology, mutations, ionizing radiation, radiation dose, radiosensitivity
- Cell Errorsmutation, point mutation, frameshift mutation, missense mutation, nonsense mutation
- DNA damagelesion, mutation, nick, mismatch, adduct
- Genome Integritymutations, double-strand break, proofreading, error correction, ATM