More specifically, this type of mutation is called an induced mutation because it is caused by an external agent (in this case, X-rays). X-rays are a type of ionizing radiation, which means they have enough energy to knock electrons off atoms, leading to the formation of free radicals. These free radicals can damage DNA by causing:
* Base modifications: Changes to the chemical structure of the bases (adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine).
* Single-strand breaks: Breaks in the sugar-phosphate backbone of the DNA strand.
* Double-strand breaks: Breaks in both strands of the DNA molecule.
These damages can alter the genetic code and potentially lead to changes in protein function or even cell death.
