Researchers interested in studying mutation and mutation repair often induce mutations with various agents. What kinds of gene mutations are induced by

chemical mutagens? Give two examples.

Key Concepts

Chemical Mutagens

Chemical mutagens are substances that can cause changes in the DNA sequence of an organism. They can alter the structure of DNA, leading to mutations during DNA replication. Common types of chemical mutagens include base analogs, which mimic normal DNA bases, and alkylating agents, which add alkyl groups to DNA, disrupting normal base pairing.

Types of Gene Mutations

Gene mutations can be classified into several types, including point mutations, insertions, and deletions. Point mutations involve a change in a single nucleotide, which can lead to silent, missense, or nonsense mutations. Insertions and deletions involve the addition or loss of nucleotides, potentially causing frameshift mutations that alter the reading frame of the gene.

Examples of Chemical Mutagens

Two common examples of chemical mutagens are ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) and nitrosamines. EMS is an alkylating agent that can induce point mutations by modifying DNA bases, while nitrosamines can cause mutations by converting DNA bases into reactive forms that mispair during replication, leading to errors in the genetic code.