Question

Ethylmethane sulphonate (EMS) causes mutations through which primary mechanism?

Options

• Frameshift mutations by intercalation

• Hydroxylation of cytosine

• Alkylation of purines, transitions

• Deamination and strand crossing over

Answer 1

Ethylmethane sulphonate (EMS) is an alkylating agent that adds ethyl groups to purine bases in DNA. This alkylation leads to transitions during replication, ultimately causing point mutations.