DNA Damage and Repair Mechanisms

Which of the following can cause damage to DNA?

• Reactive chemical substances

• Natural radiation

• Free radicals

• All of the above

What are free radicals, as described in the context of DNA damage?

• Proteins that help repair DNA

• Byproducts of normal cellular metabolism

• A type of harmful radiation

• Environmental toxins that directly break DNA strands

How does the body typically handle DNA mutations?

• All mutations are immediately fatal to the cell

• Biochemical repair mechanisms correct most mutations

• Mutations are allowed to accumulate without consequence

• Only mutations caused by UV light are repaired

What are the potential effects of damaging chemical changes or lesions in DNA?

• Genes being read incorrectly

• Altered types of proteins being produced

• Accumulation of mutations leading to diseases like cancer

• All of the above