Biology / Unit 6 Bio 1309 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Causes of Mutation
Captions available
The idea
A mutation arises either spontaneously, from an uncorrected replication or repair error, or from exposure to a mutagen such as radiation.
In practice
Ultraviolet radiation can damage DNA in a way nucleotide excision repair usually fixes, but occasionally leaves a mutation uncorrected.
Where people slip
A mutagen increases mutation rate — it does not target a specific gene, and most mutagen-induced changes are still caught by repair.
Your place on the trail
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