Does the body have any built in defense against mutation?

Answer 1

Radioactivity from any source causes mutations in the chromosomes of all living things from viruses to humans; however, properly operating nuclear reactors contain their radioactivity so there is no exposure. Improperly operated nuclear reactors (e.g. Chernobyl, Fukushima) can cause containment failures and release enormous amounts of dangerous radioactivity.

However these mutations are at the genetic level and are random in different cells. They will not transform people, animals, plants into other forms as often depicted in movies. The most common result of these mutations is cancer. Many cells with mutations simply die.

Answer 2

Humans can mutate, but not as drastically as in comics and movies. Cancer is a form of mutation of the cells in the human body. Most mutations do not have any positive effects and are generally cell specific. One cannot mutate an extra appendage or the like. Most mutations are not beneficial however some are such as when it leads to a step in evolution over time or on a smaller scale to adapt to a threat, such as when your immune system adapts to combat viruses just as the viruses mutate themselves.

Answer 3

microbes do mutate. they do so when their DNA repair systems get damaged or to improve their strain to get better adapted to the surrounding environment. sometimes, conjugation, transduction or transformation also result in altered genomes.

Answer 4

Yes. A mutation is a mistake in copying the DNA during cell replication, and is the basis of all evolution.

Cancers and such are all technically mutations.

If you were talking about comic book mutations with people sprouting extra heads and stuff, then no.

Answer 5

Yes, animals mutate all the time. Not like you see in movies where a big change happens and the animal goes from one species to another. Mutations happen slowly over long time periods and develop into sub-species adapted to environmental and physical needs. For example: A brown rabbit extends its range from south to north and encounters snow for the first time. The brown rabbits over the course of hundreds of years start to turn white and are better able to hide from predators. Why? Because one rabbit was born with white hair and survived to past this mutation on to its offspring, those white rabbits survived better and past that gene on to even more. This is just one example in thousands that have taken place for thousands of years.

Answer 6

Yes in fact DNA mutations are very common, many times you don't notice a difference, but DNA mutations are what many believe to be the cause of evolution.

Answer 7

Sometimes it is possible to mutate yourself but it is very rare. I mean there is a mistake in the genetic pattern. There is a possibility to cross breed as well.

Answer 8

Yes, but not after you're born.