This course aims to provide foundational knowledge on the factors responsible for genotoxic effects, including mutagenic agents and the mechanisms by which mutations occur. It also seeks to inform students about different types of mutations and their formation processes, and to relate this knowledge to applications in genetic research.

The course covers the definitions of toxic, cytotoxic, and genotoxic terms; the definition of mutation; concepts of genome, chromosome, and gene mutation; plant- and animal-based test systems used in genotoxic research; mutagenic and carcinogenic substances and their mechanisms of action; classification of chemical carcinogens; somatic and gametic mutations; spontaneous and experimental mutations; mechanisms of mutation formation; point mutations, frameshift mutations, and silent mutations; chromosome aberrations; and structural and numerical changes in chromosomes.