Compounds that generate nitrous acid (such as nitrites, nitrates, and nitrosamines) change DNA molecules by:
A) breakage of phosphodiester bonds.
B) deamination of bases.
C) depurination.
D) formation of thymine dimers.
E) transformation of A $\rightarrow$ T.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Nitrous acid, which can be generated from compounds like nitrites, nitrates, and nitrosamines, causes deamination of bases in DNA. This chemical reaction involves the removal of an amino group from the DNA bases, which can lead to mutations by changing one base into another, thus altering the genetic information.

Compounds That Generate Nitrous Acid (Such as Nitrites, Nitrates, and Nitrosamines)