Ultraviolet radiation causes mutations in the DNA of skin cells that have been exposed to the Sun. Will such mutations have any effect on future offspring? a yes, because skin cells play an important role in reproduction b yes, because DNA is passed on from parent to offspring c no, because the changes have no effect on the gametes of the parents d no, because offspring are immune to changes in parental DNA

Answer 1

The correct answer is c no, because the changes have no effect on the gametes of the parents.

Mutations caused by UV radiation in skin cells (somatic cells) do not affect the gametes (sperm or egg cells) unless they occur in the germline cells, which are the reproductive cells that give rise to gametes. Only mutations in germline cells can be passed on to future offspring. Since UV-induced mutations in skin cells are not in the germline, they will not be inherited by offspring.