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?

Question

a
The offspring will not inherit the mutation because enzymes will fix the mutation before it can be passed on.
b
The offspring will inherit the mutation because the arrangement of the DNA is permanently altered.
c
The offspring will inherit the mutation because the abnormal protein that is synthesized will be copied into the sex cells.
d
The offspring will not inherit the mutation because the mutation is not in a sex cell.

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

d. 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) do not get passed on to offspring unless they occur in the germ cells (sperm or egg). Since the mutation in question occurs in kidney cells, it will not be inherited by the next generation.