Final answer:
Most DNA damage is only temporary as cells have multiple repair mechanisms to fix errors in DNA before protein synthesis occurs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Most DNA damage is only temporary due to immediate correction mechanisms in cells. Cells have multiple repair mechanisms to fix errors in DNA. For example, direct reversal mechanisms can chemically reverse certain types of DNA damage without requiring a template.
Photoreactivation is an example of direct reversal, where damage caused by UV light exposure is reversed by the enzyme photolyase. These repair mechanisms ensure that DNA damage is fixed before protein synthesis occurs, preventing any lasting effects.