Final answer:
The rate of DNA repair depends on various factors such as cell type, age, and the extracellular environment. Only a small percentage of the human genome is damaged, but unrepaired damage in critical genes can increase the risk of tumor formation. DNA repair processes are constantly active to respond to damage in the DNA structure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rate of DNA repair depends on various factors such as the cell type, age of the cell, and the extracellular environment. Cells have multiple mechanisms to identify and repair DNA damage. While only a small percentage of the human genome's approximately 6 billion bases is damaged, unrepaired damage in critical genes can increase the likelihood of tumor formation. DNA repair processes are constantly active to respond to damage in the DNA structure.