mutagen
Noun: A mutagen is any physical or chemical agent that causes a permanent change in the genetic material (DNA) of an organism. This change is called a mutation. Mutagens can increase the frequency or rate at which these mutations occur.
The word "mutagen" is used to describe an external factor or substance that causes genetic mutations. It is a technical term primarily used in biology, genetics, toxicology, and medicine. * Certain chemicals are known to be powerful mutagens. * Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is a natural mutagen. * Scientists test new compounds to determine if they are mutagens.
- In a laboratory context:
- In a public health context:
- In a biological explanation:
- Mutagenicity (noun): The property or capacity of an agent to cause mutations.
- The mutagenicity of the compound was confirmed by the Ames test.
- Mutagenic (adjective): Having the ability to cause mutations.
- The substance was found to be highly mutagenic in bacterial assays.
- Mutagenesis (noun): The process or event of generating a mutation; the formation of mutations.
- Site-directed mutagenesis is a common laboratory technique.
The term "mutagen" has a single, specific meaning in science. It is not used in general or figurative language.
- Genotoxic agent: An agent that damages genetic information within a cell.
- Carcinogen: An agent that causes cancer. (Note: Many mutagens are carcinogens, but not all carcinogens are necessarily mutagens, and not all mutagens cause cancer. The terms are related but not perfectly synonymous.)
There are no common idioms using the word "mutagen."
There are no phrasal verbs using the word "mutagen."
-
any agent (physical or environmental) that can induce a genetic mutation or can increase the rate of mutation
Khám phá thêm
Các từ liên quan
Từ gần giống
Từ chứa "mutagen"
