In biology, a mutagen (Latin, literally origin of change) is an agent that changes the genetic information (usually DNA) of an organism and thus increases the number of mutations above the natural background level.
Mutagens are usually chemical compounds or ionizing radiation.
The Ames test is one method to determine how mutagenic an agent is.
Mutagens in fiction
- Mutagen is the means by which the anthropomorphic animals in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles gained their forms.
The Inhumans of Marvel Comics utilize a mutagen called the "Terrigen Mist".
Examples
- Nitrous acid (HNO2)
See also
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