DNA repair pathways are essential mechanisms that help maintain the integrity of an organism's genetic material. When DNA is damaged due to environmental factors, such as UV radiation or chemical exposure, these pathways detect and correct the errors. Key repair processes include base excision repair, which fixes small, non-helix-distorting base lesions, and nucleotide excision repair, which removes bulky DNA adducts. Another important pathway is mismatch repair, which corrects errors that occur during DNA replication. Additionally, double-strand break repair mechanisms, such as homologous recombination and non-homologous end joining, are crucial for fixing severe DNA damage. Together, these pathways ensure the stability and proper functioning of the genome.