Which type of mutation is not heritable and occurs in body cells?

Which type of mutation is not heritable and occurs in body cells?

• A. Germline mutation
• B. Somatic mutation
• C. Mosaic mutation
• D. Epigenetic mutation

Answer: (B)

Mutations that can be passed to offspring must occur in germ cells (sperm or egg). A mutation that happens in body cells after fertilization is a somatic mutation, and it affects only the individual, not the next generation. It can influence things like cancer development in the person, but it isn’t inherited by their children. Germline mutations, in contrast, are present in gametes and are inherited by offspring, which is why they are heritable. Mosaic mutations create a mix of genetically different cells within one individual; if the mutated cells include germ cells, it can be passed on, but if the mutation is confined to somatic cells, it won’t be inherited. Epigenetic changes alter gene expression without changing the DNA sequence, and while they can influence traits and can be transmitted through cell divisions, they aren’t classic DNA sequence mutations and their inheritance patterns differ.

Mutations that can be passed to offspring must occur in germ cells (sperm or egg). A mutation that happens in body cells after fertilization is a somatic mutation, and it affects only the individual, not the next generation. It can influence things like cancer development in the person, but it isn’t inherited by their children.

Germline mutations, in contrast, are present in gametes and are inherited by offspring, which is why they are heritable. Mosaic mutations create a mix of genetically different cells within one individual; if the mutated cells include germ cells, it can be passed on, but if the mutation is confined to somatic cells, it won’t be inherited. Epigenetic changes alter gene expression without changing the DNA sequence, and while they can influence traits and can be transmitted through cell divisions, they aren’t classic DNA sequence mutations and their inheritance patterns differ.