Question

Which of the following is not a type of carcinogen? a. tobacco smoke b. radiation c. pollutants d. viruses e. All of these are carcinogens.

Short answer

e. All of these are carcinogens.

Step-by-step solution

Definition of a Carcinogen

A carcinogen is a substance, radionuclide, or radiation that promotes cancer formation or carcinogenesis. In this step, we understand what carcinogens are and their role in causing cancer.

Analyze each option

In this step, we will go through each of the choices provided and determine if they are carcinogens. a. Tobacco smoke: Tobacco smoke contains harmful chemicals that can damage DNA and other genetic material within cells, leading to cancer. b. Radiation: Ionizing radiation, such as X-rays, gamma rays, and certain types of nuclear radiation, can cause damage to cellular DNA, increasing the risk of cancer. c. Pollutants: Some environmental pollutants, such as asbestos, benzene, and certain pesticides, are known to be carcinogenic. These substances can also damage DNA and lead to cancer. d. Viruses: Certain viruses can cause cancer by altering the normal functioning of a cell, leading to uncontrolled cell growth and formation of tumors. Some examples of viruses that can cause cancer include human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B and C viruses. In the analysis, we see that all the options listed are carcinogens.

Identify the correct answer

Since all the options provided are known carcinogens, the correct answer is: e. All of these are carcinogens.