A substance that affects the genetic material of the exposed person by altering their DNA is called what?

A substance that affects the genetic material of the exposed person by altering their DNA is called what?

• A. Carcinogen
• B. Teratogen
• C. Lethal Dose
• D. Mutagen

Answer: (D)

Mutagens are substances that interact with DNA to cause changes in the genetic material of the exposed person. These changes can be base substitutions, insertions, deletions, or larger chromosomal rearrangements. When DNA is altered in genes that control cell growth or DNA repair, these mutations can lead to cancer or be passed on if germ cells are affected. Carcinogens cause cancer but aren’t defined strictly by directly altering DNA (some do, but not all). Teratogens disturb development and fetal growth, not DNA mutations in the exposed person. Lethal dose refers to the amount of a substance needed to cause death, not its effect on DNA.

Mutagens are substances that interact with DNA to cause changes in the genetic material of the exposed person. These changes can be base substitutions, insertions, deletions, or larger chromosomal rearrangements. When DNA is altered in genes that control cell growth or DNA repair, these mutations can lead to cancer or be passed on if germ cells are affected.

Carcinogens cause cancer but aren’t defined strictly by directly altering DNA (some do, but not all). Teratogens disturb development and fetal growth, not DNA mutations in the exposed person. Lethal dose refers to the amount of a substance needed to cause death, not its effect on DNA.