These proteins, also called enzymes, control all chemical reactions in the cell. ELF EMFs may alter the ability of these enzymes to function properly by altering their conformation. For example, alterations in ethylene, a plant growth hormone, may suppress lateral bud elongation and hasten fruit ripening. Conformational changes of ethylene resulting from exposure to magnetic fields are a possible mechanism for the deformation of seedpods. Although not as powerful as gamma rays, long term exposure to ELF EMFs may cause mutations, too.
Mutations are alterations in nucleotide sequences of DNA that code for genes.
Excessive mutations will cause physical deformation to occur and may also lead to evolution. Also, low-frequency electromagnetic fields may cause nondisjunction to occur. This will form an offspring which may be a polyploid, having a greater number of chromosomes than his parents. Such mutations may result in a new species. The effect is more pronounced in seedpods.