Final answer:
The damage caused by an improperly paired base in DNA during replication is known as a mismatch, and if not repaired, can result in permanent mutations. The repair of such damage is known as mismatch repair. Other sources of DNA damage include UV radiation, oxidative stress, and various forms of hydrolysis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Types of DNA Damage
The name of the type of damage caused by an improperly paired base in the DNA is known as a mismatch. This occurs due to errors in DNA replication when the wrong DNA base is stitched into place in a newly forming DNA strand, resulting in a mismatch of bases. If this mismatch repair process fails and the incorrect base remains, it may lead to permanent mutations, such as point mutations. DNA damage can also be caused by external agents like UV radiation, which leads to the formation of pyrimidine dimers, a specific type of direct DNA damage.
Deamination, for instance, involves the removal of amino groups from bases such as guanine, cytosine, or adenine, which can result in base substitutions if not corrected. Each type of damage has a specific mechanism by which cells attempt to repair it to maintain the integrity of the genetic code.