Question

maria is concerned because she has been exposed to a small amount of radiation during an x - ray. what is her doctor most likely to tell her?
radiations from x - rays is not a mutagen.
mutagens have no effect on the body unless you have inherited them.
small amounts of a mutagen often do not have an effect on health.
severe mutations are usually caused by small amounts of a mutagen.

Explanation:

• X - rays are known mutagens. So the statement “Radiations from X - rays is not a mutagen” is incorrect.
• Mutagens can act on the body whether they are inherited or not. So “Mutagens have no effect on the body unless you have inherited them” is wrong.
• Small amounts of a mutagen often do not have a significant effect on health. This is a reasonable statement as the body has some repair mechanisms and the dose - response relationship in mutagenesis.
• Severe mutations are usually caused by large amounts of mutagens, not small amounts. So “Severe mutations are usually caused by small amounts of a mutagen” is incorrect.

Answer:

Small amounts of a mutagen often do not have an effect on health.