Mutagen

Mutagen is an external agent that causes mutations. Mutagens usually only increase the number of mutants formed, but do not cause their mutation and are not present under natural conditions. Some types of radiation, many chemicals and various viruses can act as mutagens. Mutagens are different from carcinogens, which cause cancer, although some substances can be both mutagens and carcinogens.

Mutagens increase the frequency of mutations by interacting with DNA. They can lead to chemical changes in the DNA structure, which leads to errors during replication. Radiation, such as ultraviolet light, can cause DNA strand breaks. Some chemicals react with DNA and form additional chemical bonds, which leads to distortion of the structure.

Mutagens can act on somatic and germ cells. Mutations in somatic cells are not inherited, while mutations in germ cells can be passed on to subsequent generations. Therefore, mutagens acting on germ cells pose the greatest danger.

By comparison, antimutagens are substances that reduce the likelihood of mutations occurring or reduce their frequency. They may act by preventing mutagens from interacting with DNA or by enhancing the cell's ability to repair DNA after exposure to a mutagen.

Mutagens and antimutagens: what they are and how they affect the human body

Mutagens are external agents that cause mutations in the cells of the body. They can be natural or artificial. Natural mutagens occur in nature and can lead to the emergence of new species of organisms. Artificial mutagens, such as radiation, chemicals, viruses and other factors, do not occur naturally and can cause various diseases and disorders in the human body.

Antimutagens are substances that interfere with the action of mutagens. They can be natural or synthetic. Natural antimutagens are found in foods such as fruits, vegetables and greens. Synthetic antimutagens are created in laboratories and used in medicine to prevent and treat various diseases.

The effect of mutagens on the body can be different. Some of them cause cell mutation and lead to the development of various diseases, such as cancer, hereditary diseases, etc. Other mutagens can cause changes in the genetic material of cells and lead to the development of new properties, such as resistance to antibiotics or radiation.

In general, mutagens pose a serious threat to human health and require careful study and control. Antimutagens can help reduce the risk of developing various diseases and improve people's quality of life.

A mutagenic factor is a provocateur or external influence that causes unspecified changes in the cell that do not necessarily lead to the development of a disease, but can initiate it. This term itself is used when it is necessary to mention the negative influence of external factors that lead to an abnormal change in the nucleus or genetic material of a cell or fetal organs during pregnancy pathology: this can occur due to the harmful effects of drugs, various chemical compounds, radiation and other toxic elements . In this case, the genome inevitably changes, which leads to the development of complex diseases in the future.

Mutagenic factors constantly influence the biosphere and humanity, and this happens everywhere, so it is especially important to take all of them into account and take them into account. Among these factors are:

Unfavorable ecology (environmental pollution, radiation exposure, influence of noisy areas, anthropogenic load in cities); Heredity factors. Food containing harmful chemical additives and canned food