Why do mutations in somatic cells not get passed on to offspring?(1 point)

Question

Responses

Mutations in somatic cells are not transmitted to gametes, which are necessary for reproduction.
Mutations in somatic cells are not transmitted to gametes, which are necessary for reproduction.

Somatic cell mutations are always corrected by cellular mechanisms, which prevents them from being passed on during reproduction.
Somatic cell mutations are always corrected by cellular mechanisms, which prevents them from being passed on during reproduction.

Somatic cell mutations do not occur during meiosis, which is necessary for producing gametes.
Somatic cell mutations do not occur during meiosis, which is necessary for producing gametes.

Mutations in somatic cells affect both somatic cells and gametes, which cancels out the mutations involved in reproduction.

Answer 1

The correct response is:

Mutations in somatic cells are not transmitted to gametes, which are necessary for reproduction.

Somatic cells are any cells in the body that are not gametes (sperm or egg cells). Mutations that occur in somatic cells will not be passed to the next generation because they do not affect the genetic material that is inherited by offspring. Only mutations that occur in the germline (the cells that give rise to gametes) can be passed on to future generations.