Question
What mutations can affect offspring?
The ones that occur in the parent
The ones that happened during mitosis
Those that occurred during meiosis
Those that happen in a body cell
The ones that occur in the parent
The ones that happened during mitosis
Those that occurred during meiosis
Those that happen in a body cell
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Mutations that affect offspring are primarily those that occur during the formation of gametes (sperm and eggs), which is associated with the process of meiosis. Therefore, the correct option from your list is:
- **Those that occurred during meiosis.**
Mutations that occur in germ cells (those that give rise to gametes) can be passed on to the offspring and potentially affect traits or health.
In contrast:
- **The ones that occur in the parent:** This is too vague, as it depends on whether the mutations are in germ cells or somatic (body) cells.
- **The ones that happened during mitosis:** These mutations are not passed to offspring, as they occur in somatic cells.
- **Those that happen in a body cell:** Similar to those during mitosis, these mutations cannot be inherited by offspring as they do not occur in germ cells.
Thus, only mutations that arise during meiosis in the germ line can be transmitted to future generations.
- **Those that occurred during meiosis.**
Mutations that occur in germ cells (those that give rise to gametes) can be passed on to the offspring and potentially affect traits or health.
In contrast:
- **The ones that occur in the parent:** This is too vague, as it depends on whether the mutations are in germ cells or somatic (body) cells.
- **The ones that happened during mitosis:** These mutations are not passed to offspring, as they occur in somatic cells.
- **Those that happen in a body cell:** Similar to those during mitosis, these mutations cannot be inherited by offspring as they do not occur in germ cells.
Thus, only mutations that arise during meiosis in the germ line can be transmitted to future generations.