Year: 2019
Type: article
Abstract: DNA is the recipe for all life on Earth, by coding for proteins that the entire organism is made of. Our bodies have complex systems in place that make sure our DNA is organized properly and that each new cell gets a complete and unchanged copy. If the complex system involved in copying DNA fails, or if bad things are present in the environment, a mistake in the sequence of DNA can occur. These mistakes, called mutations, can happen at any phase of life, beginning with a growing baby’s first cells all the way to an adult’s mature cells. Some mutations cause serious health problems. The purpose of this article is to highlight the many harmful villains, called mutagens that cause mutations, and how we can protect our bodies from harm by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and avoiding unnecessary exposure to the types of hazards that can cause mutations.
Source: Frontiers for Young Minds
Institution: The University of Texas at Austin
Language: English
Subfield: Cancer Research
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2922893674