mutagenic
Causes DNA changes
Mutagenic describes something capable of causing mutations—changes to genetic material.
Radiation, certain chemicals, and some viruses are mutagenic agents.
The term appears in scientific and regulatory contexts: mutagenic compounds in tobacco smoke, testing for mutagenic effects.
A mutagen is the substance itself; mutagenic is the property.
Altered reading of codons
- deletionRemoval of content
- insertionPlacing something within
- substitutionExchange of one for another
- transitionChange from one state
Carcinogenic nitrogen-oxygen compounds
- benzeneAromatic hydrocarbon solvent
- formaldehydeColorless pungent preservative gas
- ethidium bromideFluorescent nucleic acid stain
- mustard gasBlistering chemical warfare agent
aflatoxins · vinyl chloride · EMS · colchicine · dioxins · urethane · hydrazine
Abnormal tissue proliferation
- initiationFormal admission ceremony
- promotionRank increase or publicity
- progressionSequential forward movement
- BRCATumor suppressor gene
Electron-displacing electromagnetic energy
- ultravioletWavelengths shorter than violet
- gamma raysHighest-frequency electromagnetic radiation
- alpha particlesEmitted helium nuclei
- beta particlesElectrons from radioactive decay
cosmic rays · radon · radioactive decay · UV-B · UV-C · radioisotopes · nuclear fallout · radium
Environmental harm from waste
- pesticidesChemicals destroying harmful organisms
- heavy metalsDense metallic environmental contaminants
- industrial wasteByproducts from manufacturing processes
- tobacco smokeCombusted leaf vapor
asbestos · cadmium · arsenic · chromium · lead · mercury · water contamination · air pollutants
Viruses copying RNA into DNA
- plasmidsCircular extrachromosomal DNA elements
- HPVCommon sexually transmitted virus
- hepatitis BViral disease attacking liver
- bacteriophageVirus infecting bacterial cells
Rod-shaped food-poisoning bacterium
- metabolic activationConverting substances to active forms
- dose-responseRelationship between amount and effect
- OECD guidelinesWealthy nations' policy recommendations
frameshift
Altered reading of codons
- deletionRemoval of content
- insertionPlacing something within
- substitutionExchange of one for another
nitrosamines
Carcinogenic nitrogen-oxygen compounds
- benzeneAromatic hydrocarbon solvent
- formaldehydeColorless pungent preservative gas
- ethidium bromideFluorescent nucleic acid stain
aflatoxins · mustard gas · vinyl chloride · EMS · colchicine · dioxins · urethane · hydrazine
neoplasia
Abnormal tissue proliferation
- initiationFormal admission ceremony
- promotionRank increase or publicity
- progressionSequential forward movement
ionizing radiation
Electron-displacing electromagnetic energy
- ultravioletWavelengths shorter than violet
- gamma raysHighest-frequency electromagnetic radiation
- alpha particlesEmitted helium nuclei
beta particles · cosmic rays · radon · radioactive decay · UV-B · UV-C · radioisotopes · nuclear fallout · radium · plutonium
pollution
Environmental harm from waste
- pesticidesChemicals destroying harmful organisms
- heavy metalsDense metallic environmental contaminants
- industrial wasteByproducts from manufacturing processes
tobacco smoke · asbestos · cadmium · arsenic · chromium · lead · mercury · water contamination · air pollutants · diesel exhaust
retroviruses
Viruses copying RNA into DNA
- plasmidsCircular extrachromosomal DNA elements
- HPVCommon sexually transmitted virus
- hepatitis BViral disease attacking liver
Salmonella
Rod-shaped food-poisoning bacterium
- metabolic activationConverting substances to active forms
- dose-responseRelationship between amount and effect
- OECD guidelinesWealthy nations' policy recommendations