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Multiple Choice
Which one of the following is least likely to cause mutations in DNA?
A
Hydrochloric acid
B
Acetic acid
C
Sulfuric acid
D
Nitrous acid
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that mutations in DNA are often caused by agents that can alter the chemical structure of DNA bases or cause breaks in the DNA strands.
Consider the chemical properties of each acid: Hydrochloric acid (HCl), Acetic acid (CH3COOH), Sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and Nitrous acid (HNO2).
Hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid are strong acids that can cause significant damage to biological molecules, including DNA, through hydrolysis or oxidation.
Nitrous acid is known to cause deamination of DNA bases, which can lead to mutations.
Acetic acid is a weak acid and is less likely to cause significant chemical changes in DNA compared to the other acids listed, making it the least likely to cause mutations.