DNA glycosylases are enzymes that play a crucial role in the repair of damaged DNA. They recognize and remove specific damaged bases from the DNA strand, which helps maintain the integrity of the genetic material. By excising these faulty bases, DNA glycosylases initiate a repair process that prevents mutations and potential cell malfunction. These enzymes are essential for the base excision repair (BER) pathway, a key mechanism in cellular repair systems. DNA glycosylases work by cleaving the bond between the damaged base and the sugar-phosphate backbone of DNA, allowing other repair proteins to fill in the gap and restore the correct sequence.