das the DNA modified by radiation or just geneticaly?

Answer 1

Huh?

Answer 2

DNA is modified through meiosis, specifically at "crossing over".

DNA is MUTATED through many errors:

translational errors.
inversion errors.
translocation errors, etc.


In rebuttal to the person who answered after me:

DNA mutations do NOT ONLY occur from radiation. Most mutations occur naturally from the above causes. This is the basis for the theory of evolution (that DNA is mutated naturally, thus forming different traits. Those with the traits better suited for the species particular environment will have a better chance at surviving to reproductive age and thus increases the availability of such traits in the genepool).

Traits evolve specifically because the nucleotide sequence in DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) some how changes.

Its like reading a book. (The book is the whole chromosome). There are chapters in the books (parts of the actual chromatid) that are responsible for specific traits (phenomes). In DNA there are four nucleotides, Guanine, Thymine, Adenine, and Cysteine. (Represented by G, T, A, and C respectively).
These nucleotides represent the letters of each chapter.

In language If I write GOD, but scramble the letters around and write DOG the meaning changes significantly. This is what happens when nucleotides are "rearranged", "inverted", "deleted", etc, and thus the expression of the genes (the traits or phenomes) become altered.

Also, radiation from the sun has been shown to mutate DNA. Some melanomas (skin cancers) are caused by skin cells that don't know when to stop reproducing cells. The result is a growth the becomes cancerous.

Answer 3

dna is usually genetic. dna mutations only occur when exposed to high concentrations of radiation, like an x-ray. but normal radiation levels of everyday (liek the sun) dont effect dna.