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 individual. 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 abnormalities 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 like ultraviolet rays, harmful chemicals, etc. These mutations can cause fatal illnesses like 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 links 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 like potential mutagens. This section also includes various other high energy radiations and it rises in temperature.

• Chemical mutagens − Various elements like arsenic, nickel, and chromium are considered as chemical mutagens. Organic compounds like benzene can be considered mutagenic.

• Biological mutagens − The biological mutagens involve transposons and viruses. Furthermore, certain bacteria like Helicobacter 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 functionality 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 proliferating 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 individuals. 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 replication.

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 functionality of the genetic materials. These sudden mutations lead to abnormalities in DNA that further cause cancer in the patients.

Q3. How does sunlight 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 sunlight. 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 like X-rays, gamma rays and alpha particles. Chemical mutagens include particles like arsenic, nickel, and chromium. Biological mutagens include particles like transposons and viruses.