Many mutations do not result from errors in replication. Chemical reagents can oxidize and alkylate the bases in DNA, sometimes changing their base-pairing properties. Radiation can also damage DNA. E...Many mutations do not result from errors in replication. Chemical reagents can oxidize and alkylate the bases in DNA, sometimes changing their base-pairing properties. Radiation can also damage DNA. Examples of these mutagenic reactions will be discussed in this section.