noun

mutagen

MYOO-tuhjn

noun

Any substance or agent that can cause a change in an organism's genetic material.

"Certain chemicals used in older dyes are known mutagens."

How to Use Mutagen

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAnything that can cause a mutation in DNA.

Common pairings

a known mutagen mutagen exposure

mutagens plural

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Certain chemicals used in older dyes are known _____.

Built from muta- (relating to mutation) and -gen ("producing"), ultimately from Greek roots meaning "birth" or "origin."

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