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Originally Posted by Blade
You don't have to have a genetic mutation to end up with an extra leg. it can be done by chemical interference in the "program" that tells the various parts of your body what they are going to be as you develop in the womb (or in whatever). Radiation causes its effects by damaging DNA and this can lead to "errors" slipping into it as it is repaired (or perhaps not repaired correctly). If these happen in one of your cells, chances are it won't matter because the genes weren't active or the second copy can handle the loss of the other and if its too bad, the cell will likely kill itself to protect others that can do its job as well. If it affects anything that might cause a problem its the genes that regulate the cell division cycle and cancer occurs when cells have lost control and grow uncontrolled. If the genetic damage happens in the germ line cells (cells that go on to make sperm or ova and thus babies), the genes for developmental control or just the controls of the genes can get altered leading to changes in the biochemistry and morphology (shape and structure) of the offspring (please tell me you cover and actually accept evolution in your school as mutations lead into part of how evolution works). Radiation isn't the only way that genetic information can get changed of course and it can't cause all possible types of mutation either (some require quite big copying events within the same genome).
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:sleep:
I'm beginning to ask myself who you guys on the forum ARE! I mean, first DeeZire with his long professory talk and now you know everything about radioactivity and mutation! I only know it hurts.