Mutagens, Teratogens, Carcinogens.. OH My

Mutagens

• Substance that causes a mutation, a change in DNA– Examples

• Ethidium bromide – dye used during gel electrophoresis

• Sudan IV – chemical used to test for the presence of lipids (fats)

• U V Radiation, Ionizing radiation (X-rays)

Mutations can change the message of genes

Mutations: • changes in DNA base sequence

• caused by errors in DNA replication, recombination, or by mutagens

• substituting, inserting, or deleting nucleotides also alters a gene

“frame-shift mutation”…most devastating to protein structure

“point mutation”…may or may not alter amino acid sequence

MUTANTS

• Mutant Animals!

Teratogens

• Substance that causes damage to an embryo or fetus– Examples

• Drugs – cocaine • Alcohol – fetal alcohol syndrome• Medications –THALIDOMIDE is an anti-nausea and

sedative drug that was introduced in the late 1950s to be used as a sleeping pill, and was quickly discovered to help pregnant women with the effects of morning sickness. It was sold from 1957 until 1962, when it was withdrawn after being found to be a teratogen, which caused many different forms of birth defects.

Carcinogens

• Any substance that is involved with causing cancer– Examples

• Cigarette smoking• Asbestos• Radiation• Chemicals such as dioxin

– ***Symptoms may not appear until 10-50 years AFTER exposure!***