What is defined as a permanent alteration in the DNA sequence due to radiation exposure?

A permanent alteration in the DNA sequence caused by radiation exposure is referred to as a mutation. Mutations can occur when DNA is damaged by external factors such as radiation, leading to changes in the genetic code. These alterations may happen in various ways, including substitutions, deletions, or insertions of nucleotides in the DNA sequence. Over time, if these mutations survive DNA repair mechanisms and are passed on during cell division, they can contribute to a variety of biological effects, including malfunctions in cellular processes.

Replication, on the other hand, is the process by which DNA is copied before cell division, and is not a result of radiation. Transcription refers to the process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template, and while it is a crucial step in gene expression, it does not encompass changes to the DNA sequence itself. Carcinogenesis is the broader process of development of cancer, which can be influenced by mutations but does not specifically define the change in the DNA sequence that radiation causes. Thus, mutation is the most accurate term for the permanent alteration in the DNA sequence due to radiation exposure.