Biology Year 12 - Module 6 - Lesson 2

Mutagens - How Genetic Damage Is Increased

Use this worksheet after reading the lesson to practise the key ideas and prove you can meet the success criteria.

Name

Date

Class

1. Key Ideas

A mutation is the DNA change itself. A mutagen is the thing that increases the chance of that change happening. UV radiation from sunlight does not "become" a mutation, but it can damage DNA in ways that raise mutation risk if repair fails.

Mutagen and mutation are not synonyms.
DNA damage must persist through repair/replication to become a mutation.

2. Success Criteria

By the end, you should be able to:

Mutagen and mutation are not synonyms.
Mutagens include radiation, chemicals and natural agents.
Different mutagens damage DNA in different ways.

3. Key Terms

MutagenAn agent that increases the rate of mutation by damaging DNA or interfering with replication.

UV radiationElectromagnetic radiation that can damage DNA, especially by forming abnormal bonds between neighbouring bases.

Ionising radiationHigh-energy radiation that can remove electrons from atoms and cause DNA strand breaks.

Chemical mutagenA chemical that alters bases, causes mispairing or disrupts DNA replication.

Background radiationNaturally occurring low-level ionising radiation from sources such as rocks, soil and cosmic radiation.

Insertion effectA change caused when foreign genetic material becomes inserted into DNA, potentially disrupting a gene or its regulation.

4. Activity: Build the Lesson Map

Use the lesson to complete the table. Keep answers brief but specific.

Prompt	Your answer
Main concept
Important example
Common mistake to avoid
How this links to the next lesson

5. Short Answer Questions

1. Explain this lesson goal in your own words: "Mutagen and mutation are not synonyms.". Use one specific example from the lesson.

Band 32 marks

2. Apply this idea to a new example: "Mutagens include radiation, chemicals and natural agents.". Show your reasoning clearly.

Band 43 marks

3. Analyse why this idea matters for understanding Mutagens - How Genetic Damage Is Increased: "Different mutagens damage DNA in different ways.".

Band 54 marks

6. Extend: Apply the Idea

Band 5/65 marks

A student gives a memorised answer about Mutagens - How Genetic Damage Is Increased but does not use evidence or reasoning.

Improve the answer by writing a stronger response that uses accurate terminology, a relevant example and a clear explanation.

7. Multiple Choice

1. What is the best first step when answering a question about Mutagens - How Genetic Damage Is Increased?

A. Identify the key concept being tested

B. Write every fact from memory

C. Ignore the command word

D. Skip examples and evidence

2. Which answer would show stronger understanding of Mutagens - How Genetic Damage Is Increased?

A. An answer with accurate terms and reasoning

B. A copied definition only

C. A single-word response

D. An answer with no example

3. What should you do if a question asks you to explain?

A. Link the idea to a reason or cause

B. List unrelated facts

C. Only draw a diagram

D. Write the shortest possible answer

8. Success Criteria Proof

Finish with evidence that you can do each success criterion.

Success criterion 1

Prove that you can: Mutagen and mutation are not synonyms.