What are the type of mutagen and its action?

Answer 1

broadly classified into chemical and radiative mutagens.

Chemical mutagens are classified as alkylating agents, cross-linking agents, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Alkylating agents act by adding molecular components to DNA bases, which alters the protein product. Cross-linking agents create covalent bonds with DNA bases, while PAHs are metabolized by the human body into other potentially mutagenic molecules.

Radiation is another potent mutagen. For biologists, the most significant forms of radiation are light, heat, and ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation can penetrate cells and create ions in the cell contents. These, in turn, can cause permanent alterations in DNA; that is, mutations. Ionizing radiation includes: x rays, gamma rays, and the subatomic particles-neutrons, electrons ("beta" particles), and alpha particles (helium nuclei). Ionizing radiation alters the way two strands of DNA interact. This high energy radiation passes through cells and tissues, cutting up any DNA in its path. It can rearrange entire sections of the chromosomes, altering relatively long stretches of DNA. UV radiation causes covalent bonds to form between neighboring thymine bases in the DNA, so altering the DNA product at that location.

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Answer 2

Mutagens can be physical agents (e.g. UV radiation), chemical agents (e.g. tobacco smoke), or biological agents (e.g. viruses). They act by causing changes in the DNA sequence, leading to mutations that can alter gene function and potentially lead to diseases such as cancer.