Ecotoxicology
The Ames Test is a widely used biological assay that detects whether a chemical compound is mutagenic, meaning it has the potential to cause genetic mutations in living organisms. It utilizes strains of bacteria, typically Salmonella, which have mutations that make them unable to synthesize certain amino acids. If the test compound causes mutations that restore this ability, it indicates that the compound is likely a mutagen, which can connect to broader concerns of genotoxicity and carcinogenicity.
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