Identify the mutation below that would be passed on to living offspring of it happened in a parent

Question

A: a silent mutation in the genes of the pancreas cells that code for insulin
B: a chromosomal deletion that affects the ability of blood to carry oxygen
C: a substitution error that takes place in a somatic cell that causes skin cancer
D: an insertion mutation in a gamete that deactivates a gene for hair color

Answer 1

The mutation that would be passed on to living offspring if it happened in a parent is:

D: an insertion mutation in a gamete that deactivates a gene for hair color.

Mutations that occur in gametes (sperm or egg cells) can be inherited by the offspring, while mutations in somatic cells (like those affecting pancreas cells or causing skin cancer) are not passed on to the next generation. Silent mutations, while present in gametes, do not affect the protein produced and typically do not have any phenotypic consequence, thus are not relevant for heritable traits in this context.