DNA Damage
Exposure to UV light, Mechanical shearing, Phenol extraction, Dessication, Heating [2]
Hydrolysis: The chemical bond between a DNA base and its respective deoxyribose can be cleaved by a water molecule in a process known as spontaneous hydrolysis[1].
Deamination: Base modification of chemical structure, either through spontaneous, chemical, or enzymatic hydrolysis, leading to pre-mutagenic base pair[1].
Alkylation: Occurs when a reactive mutagen transfers an alkyl group to a DNA base, through the action of exogenous (environmental) and endogenous (intracellular) agents[1].
Oxidation: Occurs when an oxygen atom binds to a carbon atom in the DNA base[1].
When levels of endogenous DNA damage are high, which might occur as the result of an inactivating mutation in a DNA repair gene, or when we are exposed to harmful exogenous agents like radiation or dangerous chemicals, the cell’s DNA repair systems become overwhelmed[1].
Lack of DNA repair results in a high mutation rate, which in turn may lead to cell death, cancer, and other diseases
Mutation: Radiation (Physical mutagens), and Chemical Mutagens [3]
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[1] https://www.biologydiscussion.com/dna/damage/top-4-causes-of-dna-damage-2/11955
[2] https://bitesizebio.com/744/5-ways-to-damage-dna/
[3] https://golifescience.com/dna-damage/