What environmental factors are known to cause mutations?

Mutations can occur due to various environmental factors, and one of the most significant groups of these factors includes high temperatures and radiation. High temperatures can lead to increased molecular movement and can disrupt normal biochemical processes, potentially causing errors during DNA replication and repair. Radiation, whether it is ionizing (like X-rays and gamma rays) or non-ionizing (like UV light), has sufficient energy to cause direct damage to the DNA structure. This can lead to various types of mutations, including base pair changes, deletions, and chromosomal damage.

The understanding of how these environmental factors—particularly radiation—affect cellular DNA is critical in areas such as genetics and cancer research. It highlights the importance of protective measures against excessive radiation exposure in our environment and workplaces, given that mutations can lead to various health issues, including cancer.

The other options do not have a strong association with the causation of mutations. Low temperatures, humidity, low pH, absence of oxygen, high pressure, and magnetic fields generally do not induce the same level of direct impairment to genetic material as high temperatures and radiation do.