View source for Mutagens

A mutagen is a chemical or environmental agent that can alter the specific [[Base|base sequence]] within [[DNA|DNA]]. Although most [[Mutation|mutations]] are considered spontaneous, the rate of mutation can be increased through exposure to mutagens. Mutagens are linked to cancer and can be considered [[Carcinogen|carcinogens]]. Physical mutagens include ionising radiations such as [[X-rays|x-rays]] and [[Gamma rays|gamma rays]]. Chemicals that cause [[Alkylation|alkylation]], [[Oxidation|oxidation]] and [[Deamination|deamination]] of DNA also cause mutations<ref>Berg, Tymoczko and Stryer,. (2007) Biochemistry, Sixth Edition, New York: WH Freeman and Company</ref>. 

=== Discovery of Mutagens  ===

The first evidence of agents in the environment increasing mutation probability was shown in ''[[Drosophila melanogaster|Drosophila Melanogaster]]'', a [[Model organism|model organism]], in 1927 by [[Hermann Muller|Hermann Muller]]<ref>Hartl D L,. Essential Genetics: A Genomic Perspective (2011) Fifth Edition, Massachusetts: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, page 411</ref>. He showed that x-rays were mutagenic using the [[Clb Method|ClB Method]]. 

=== References  ===

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