Why are X rays more potent mutagens than UV radiation?

Video transcript

Welcome back. Our next problem, says UV light induces mutations in DNA by. And when we look over our answer choices, we know the choice D. Is all of the above. So let's look through our answer choices. Choice A says helix distortion. Well, helix distortion isn't the method by which UV light induces mutation. Ah helix distortion is usually caused by inter cal eating agents. These inter cal eating agents have a ring like structure and they get inserted sort of wedged between DNA bases in the double helix, causing helix distortion. So that's not our correct answer and therefore Choice D. Is also incorrect since uh that was all of the above. And obviously this we already know that choice A is not correct. Choice B. Is forming perimeter timers. And this will be our answer. That is the method by which UV light induces mutations. Perimeter timers are caused when a perimeter eating the absorbed photon breaks open A double bond that a permitting has with its complementary base and causes it instead. If it has a neighboring promoting on its same strand causes it to form a bond with its neighbor perimeter. Obviously that's going to cause big issues in that D. N. A. Helix. If you've got a bond happening with your next door neighbor on the same strand versus the proper complementary pairing between the two strands. So that choice B. Is how UV light induces mutations. And then we have choice C. Creating free radicals. Well this is the main means by which ionizing radiation such as gamma rays or x rays causes mutations. The energy from ionizing radiation can knock off electrons, creating free radicals, creating these ions that can rampage about and break Covalin bonds and that obviously can cause DNA damage. So that's but that's the way ionizing radiation primarily induces mutations, not UV light. So choice C is not our answer. So again, UV light induces mutations in DNA. By choice. Be forming perimeter and timers see you in the next video.