Genetic damage primarily arises from two main mechanisms, both related to how DNA is maintained and repaired within cells.
Mechanisms of Genetic Damage
The provided reference points to two crucial ways genetic damage occurs:
-
Spontaneous Mutations and Faulty Repair:
- Sometimes, the cell's machinery responsible for editing DNA replication and repairing damaged genes can malfunction.
- This malfunction can lead to errors that are not corrected during DNA replication and repair, resulting in genetic damage.
-
Exposure to Carcinogens and Imprecise Repair:
- More frequently, cells encounter carcinogens which directly damage DNA.
- These carcinogens can be physical (like UV radiation) or chemical (such as those found in tobacco smoke).
- When the cell tries to repair this damage, the repair process isn't always perfect.
- Imprecise or inaccurate repair of damaged DNA further increases the number of spontaneous mutations and genetic damage.
- More frequently, cells encounter carcinogens which directly damage DNA.
Summary of Causes
| Cause | Description |
|---|---|
| Spontaneous Mutations | Malfunctioning of cellular DNA editing and repair systems during replication. |
| Exposure to Carcinogens | Direct damage to DNA caused by harmful substances and agents, like chemicals or radiation. |
| Imprecise DNA Repair | Errors occur when the cell attempts to repair damage caused by carcinogens, leading to new mutations. |
In essence, genetic damage occurs when the processes that maintain the integrity of DNA fail, either due to internal errors or external agents.
