What is one potential result of exposure to UV light for organisms?

Exposure to UV light can cause DNA mutations in organisms, as UV radiation has the potential to damage the genetic material directly. UV light induces the formation of pyrimidine dimers, which are covalent linkages between adjacent thymine or cytosine bases in DNA. When these dimers form, they disrupt the normal base pairing during DNA replication, leading to errors in the genetic code. If these mutations occur in genes that control cell division or other critical cellular processes, they can contribute to the development of cancer or other genetic disorders.

While increased growth, activated metabolism, and higher resistance to heat may sound plausible, they do not directly relate to the typical consequences of UV exposure. In fact, UV light generally has detrimental effects on cellular functions, often leading to cell damage rather than promoting growth or metabolism.