General Genetics
Alkylating agents are a class of chemical compounds that can add alkyl groups to DNA, leading to mutations and potential cell damage. These agents are known for their ability to form covalent bonds with DNA, disrupting its structure and function, which can result in errors during DNA replication. This alteration can initiate a variety of cellular responses, including repair mechanisms or programmed cell death, making alkylating agents significant in understanding mutagenesis and the processes that cells use to maintain genomic integrity.
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