Classification of Mutagens with examples ?
Answer (1)
1st Apr, 2020
Mutagens can be classified into two broad categories :
Physical Mutagens : Radiations are the most important physical mutagens. These are of two types.
- Ionizing Radiations : These include X-rays, gamma-rays, alpha-rays and beta-rays. These cause breaks in chromosomes and cells show abnormal cell division.
- Non-Ionizing Radiations : These include UV rays. They have longer wavelengths but lower energy, and thus are insufficient to induce ionization. Thymine dimer formation is the major effect.
Chemical Mutagens : Large numbers of chemical mutagens exists. These are more harmful. Usually divided into two groups
- Mutagenic to both replicating and non replicating DNA - Nitrous Acid
- Mutagenic to Replicating DNA - Acridine Dyes, Base Analogues
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