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Environmental causes of genetic mutation:

1. Normal background gamma radiation from geological sources (naturally occurring radioactive minerals such as horneblende, the ore of uranium)

2. radiation from man-made sources, such as the fallout from atomic testing, or the waste runoff from nuclear reactor leaks, etc.

3. Chemical waste materials, such as the PCBs formed in transformer oil, when not disposed of properly, infiltrate the water table and add to the toxic load of an organism

4. In some cases, ultraviolet light (from sunlight) can even cause genetic mutation, in very high exposures.

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12y ago
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12y ago

You see, you may look at mutations as a bad thing, or a negative thing, but they can also be looked at as evolution. A gain or lack of something can alter an organisms DNA, like Radiation for example. A body changes to its enviroment, slowly, but surely. I don't know how else to explain it.

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12y ago

The Sun's high-energy rays, like ultra-violet light, cosmic or gamma rays, and so forth can cause mutations. Harmful chemicals in the bloodstream may cause mutations, as well.

Fortunately the atmosphere shields us from the worst ultraviolet light, and the Van Allen belt above that filters out cosmic rays and/or gamma rays, except around the north pole and south pole. The northern lights and southern lights are a result of these high-energy rays hitting the high atmospheric layers.

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14y ago

Chemicals that can cause biological mutations are called mutagens.

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12y ago

It is called evolution, and the key to evolution is mutations, which happen naturally in the environment, and not by force.

Short Answer is Pollution.

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12y ago

X-rays

Tobacco

Alcohol

UV Light

some viruses

soot

recreational drugs

etc.......

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Q: What in the environment can cause mutations?
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Related questions

What is something in the environment that may cause mutations?

you!


What can cause changes in DNA sequences?

mutations


What are the evolutionary values of mutations?

Mutations have allowed species to adapt the their environment.


What is the relationship between mutations and the environment?

In general, there is no direct relationship. In some cases the environment can damage genes and cause mutations. In a few cases, the environmental factors will determine certain traits, for instance alligator gender is affected by the temperature of their egg mounds.


Are all mutations bad.?

No not all mutations are bad there are good mutations and bad mutations


How do mutations relate to traits?

Mutations cause certain traits.


What agents do not cause mutations in DNA?

The height of mount Everest is unlikely to cause mutation in DNA. You may find this answer surprising but it is I assure you a true answer. Your problem is that you asked your question in the negative (What is UNLIKELY) which means that just about anything in the universe is a valid answer.


What is a mutation that helps an organism to live and survive in its environment?

The mutations or other changes are adaptations.


What factors are most likely to cause a mutation in DNA?

depends on what are you exposed to. Naturally, UV radiation does make mutations in the cells of your skin. Across the body, oxygen radicals make very significant amount of mutations; oxygen radicals are one of the important factors causing aging. Apart from this, chemical mutagens from the environment are important mutagens too. All of these cause mutations.


What types of external stimuli cause mutations?

While this question should be recategorized because external stimuli do not cause the mutations that result in hemophilia, there are many types of radiation that can cause gene mutations as well as chemical exposure. For example sun light is UV light radiation wich can cause mutations (for example the mutations that result in skin cancer).


What are some things that can cause those mutations that cause cancer?

Many herbicides and pesticides hit the nuclear material and cause mutations when used to protect crop plants. Apart from causing mutations these very chemicals are carcinogenic in nature and cause cancer.


Although genetic mutations may occur spontaneously in organisms the incidence of such mutations may be increased by?

Radioactive substances in the environment