Multiple choice

DNA damage caused by exogenous agents comes in various forms. Which of the following agents increases the rate of depurination in DNA strands?

  1. Vinyl chloride

  2. Ionising radiation

  3. High tempretures

  4. UV-A light

  5. UV-B light

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Thermal disruption at elevated temperature increases the rate of depurination (loss of purine bases from the DNA backbone) and single-strand breaks. For example, hydrolytic depurination is seen in the thermophilic bacteria, which grow in hot springs at 40-80 °C.