An agent that induces genetic mutation by causing changes in the DNA.
A chemical substance capable of producing a genetic mutation (change), by causing changes in the DNA of living organisms. For example. Dr. Gary Shaw discovered in 1996 that women who smoke cigarettes during their pregnancies are twice as likely to have babies with the genetic deformity known as cleft lip and palate. If those women have a particularly susceptible (to smoke) gene variant (allele) within their DNA, they are as much as eight times as likely to have babies with cleft lip and palate.
A chemical or physical agent that caused genetic mutations.
Chemical agents that increase the rate of genetic mutation by interfering with the function of nucleic acids. A clastogen is a specific mutagen that causes breaks in chromosomes.
Chemicals that cause changes in the base sequence of DNA.
Agent, physical or environmental, that induces a genetic mutation or increases the mutation rate.
An agent that can cause a change in a gene. Mutagens can alter the genetic makeup of cells by changing the structure of their DNA; these changes can increase the rate of mutation. Examples of mutagens include several kinds of radiation, X rays, ultraviolet light, many chemicals, and some viruses.
An external agent that, when applied to cells or organisms, can increase the rate of mutation. Mutagens usually increase the number of mutants formed but do not cause mutations not found under natural conditions. Several kinds of radiation, many chemicals, and some viruses can act as mutagens. Compare antimutagen.
A chemical or physical agent that has the property of increasing the rate of mutation among cells. A mutagen does not usually increase the range of mutations. Chemicals, ionising radiation, and viruses may act as mutagens.
Any agent that causes genetic mutations. Many medicines, chemicals, and physical agents such as ionizing radiation and ultraviolet light have this ability.
A substance that causes changes in a cell’s hereditary material.
An agent that accelerates the frequency of genetic changes or mutations in cells is termed a mutagen. The primary sources of mutagens are ionizing radiation, specific chemicals, and certain diseases.