Question

Which statement best describes how radiation causes mutations?

(1 point)
Responses

Radiation breaks down DNA bonds, and the cell repairs the bonds incorrectly.
Radiation breaks down DNA bonds, and the cell repairs the bonds incorrectly.

Radiation triggers DNA replication and splits the complementary base pairs.
Radiation triggers DNA replication and splits the complementary base pairs.

Radiation triggers DNA replication, and the cell produces two identical DNA molecules.
Radiation triggers DNA replication, and the cell produces two identical DNA molecules.

Radiation breaks down DNA bonds, and the bonds remain broken

Answer 1

Radiation breaks down DNA bonds, and the cell repairs the bonds incorrectly.

Explanation: Radiation (especially ionizing) causes strand breaks and base damage. Errors during repair (misrepair) produce mutations; unrepaired breaks more often cause cell death than heritable mutation.