Mutagenes that affect human life. Mutagen is ...

Probably everyone is familiar with such a word as a mutagen. It is a substance that can have a different nature and differ in the intensity of the effect. They can also damage the environment and humans. But their properties are often used for good in various spheres of life.

What is a mutagen

Everyone has his own idea of what kind of substance. But in reality a mutagen is a factor that causes a persistent modification in the body structure. These changes are usually inherited by subsequent generations.

Mutagens are some acids, all kinds of compounds, drugs and even certain types of radiation. They may also be some kind of virus. Mutagen is a universal definition of factors that can cause mutation in any organism, beginning with bacteria and ending with plants and humans. The intensity of the changes depends on the dosage.

Types of mutagens

Three types of mutagens are known today: physical, chemical and biological. The first category includes all ionizing radiation. These are X-ray and gamma rays, neutrons, protons, ultraviolet. It is interesting that, to some extent, a stable high or low temperature also influences changes in the structure of the body, although these modifications are less intense.

Another category is chemical mutagens. These include foreign DNA, alkylating compounds (dimethylsulfate, mustard, etc.), nitrous acid, pesticides, acridine dyes, formaldehyde, some alkaloids and organic peroxides. This includes many other drugs, as well as substances whose nature has not yet been investigated. Biological mutagens can be viruses, some plants and genetically modified substances.

Mutagens and humans: risk factors

Scientists often use mutagens for the benefit of society, for example, they are used by breeders. But their negative impact is much stronger. Acquiring many products, drugs, cleaning products and household appliances, a person exposes himself to the effects of mutagens, causing damage to the body. Most often this happens unnoticed for the person himself and manifests itself only in the next generation. Unfortunately, already today contact with such substances causes new diseases, chronic allergic reactions and tumors. Manufacturers of many goods necessary for modern man often introduce into their composition this or that mutagen. It can be hair dyes, food, household chemicals, exhaust fumes, industrial waste and much more. All these substances fly in the air, settle on the soil and are absorbed by the plants entering the food. In addition, environmental mutagens affect animals and insects, changing their habits, making them more aggressive and vulnerable to disease. It is worth noting that there have been no changes that would benefit the body.

Food and mutagens

Today, the food industry has permission to use certain products that contain components of genetically modified corn, soybean and oilseeds. They can be found in syrups, flour, oil, starch. These bases are used in large volumes for the production of many products, from cookies, baby food, sausages and finishing sauces. Perhaps we will not notice the genetic changes caused by such food on our own, but our grandchildren will obviously feel them. In laboratories around the world, experiments are continuing with animals that are affected by these mutagens. The results of the research show that infertility develops over time, and the frequency of mutations in the following generations increases hundreds of times. It is also worth noting that mutagens can form in some spoiled products. For example, in stale sour cream, butter, eggs, compounds are formed, turning into a mutagen. If the meat is cooked in its own juice, this process also occurs.

Security measures

After we learned that our world is full of mutagens, it seems that we are simply powerless. But in fact, this information helps to be more careful when choosing food. In addition, do not neglect some of the recommendations. Never eat spoiled food; When in contact with household chemicals, use a mask and rubber gloves; Try to refuse food containing dyes and preservatives; Reduce the use of sweets. Use when cooking ginger, parsley, mustard, eggplant, onion, pepper, cilantro, cabbage, apples and green tea - these products soften the impact of mutagens.