a) The offspring will not inherit the mutation because the mutation is not in a sex cell.
Mutations that occur in somatic cells (such as kidney cells) are not passed down to offspring. In order for a mutation to be heritable, it must occur in the germ cells (sex cells) that are involved in the production of sperm or eggs.
An organism is exposed to a mutagen that causes a mutation in the kidney cells. Which best describes if the offspring of the organism will inherit the mutation, and why?
a
The offspring will not inherit the mutation because the mutation is not in a sex cell.
b
The offspring will inherit the mutation because the abnormal protein that is synthesized will be copied into the sex cells.
c
The offspring will inherit the mutation because the arrangement of the DNA is permanently altered.
d
The offspring will not inherit the mutation because enzymes will fix the mutation before it can be passed on.
1 answer