Question

What are mutagens? Name one mutagen.

Answer 1

Mutation occurs due to several agents. These mutation causing agents are called mutagens. Mutagens include radiations (X-ray, UV ray, etc), chemicals such as bromouracil, aminopurine, etc and biological agents include viruses, bacteria and transposons.

Complete answer:
Mutation refers to the sudden inheritable changes in the organisms. It mainly occurs at the time of gamete formation. It leads to the variations in the organisms. There are many physical, chemical or biological agents that cause mutation by altering the genetic material. These are called mutagens. It can also possibly result in the disease condition. In simple terms, we can say that mutagens damage the genetic material. It results in genetic abnormalities that can either be inherited or non-inherited.
Mutagens can be found in mainly three types: physical agents, chemical agents and biological agents.
Physical agents include heat and radiation
Chemical agents include intercalating agents, alkylating agents, base analogs, deaminating agents and metal ions.
Biological agents include viruses, bacteria and transposons.
Radiation is the first mutagenic agent. It includes X-rays, U.V. rays, alpha rays, neutrons, and other non-ionizing radiations. The common well known mutagen is a virus which can be lethal for humans. It inserts the DNA into our genome and disrupts the normal functions of DNA or genes. It took over our machinery and viral proteins are produced in our body.

Note: Not all the mutations can occur due to mutagens, some arise due to error in replication, hydrolysis, or recombination errors. The chemical mutagens include base analogs such as bromouracil and aminopurine. Some of the alkylating agents also damage the DNA such as mustard gas, vinyl chloride, etc.