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Mutagen facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Benzopyrene DNA adduct 1JDG
A DNA adduct (at center) of the mutagenic metabolite of benzo[a]pyrene from tobacco smoke.

A mutagen is a substance or a process that changes the genetic material of an organism. Mutagens also increase the number of mutations that occur. Many mutagens also cause cancer, so they are also carcinogens. Examples of mutagens are ionizing radiation, many bromine compounds, benzene. A test to detect mutagens is the Ames test.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Mutágeno para niños

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Mutagen Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.