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Could cancer cells be passed on to offspring when they affect the gametes?
Wiki User
∙ 16y ago
Gametes are single cells, either egg or sperm, with unmatched DNA that join to form a single cell, a zygote with complete DNA, which grows into a new individual. A cancer cell could not 'affect' a gamete. Cancer is an uncontrolled growth of cells that do not function properly. This is usually the result of damaged DNA. If a gamete had defective DNA, it would create a zygote with defective DNA that would grow improperly, like a cancer. Such zygotes would not develop properly, and would either not attach to the womb, or would spontaneously abort early in pregnancy.
Offspring usually contain an infinitesimally small number of cells from the mother. Likewise, the mother contains some infinitesimally small number of her offspring's cells. The frequency of such cells compared to the rest of the cells of the body are so rare that they do not normally affect the health of either the mother or the offspring. It might be theoretically possible for a cancerous cell from the mother to get into the offspring long after the gamete. As far as I know, this has never been proven to have happened.
Some viruses can cross the from the uterus (part of the mother) to the placenta (part of the baby). This is why some viruses (for example rubella) can cause birth defects. Most bacteria cannot cross, and even some rather sinister viruses, like HIV, don't always cross. Some women who are HIV positive have babies who are HIV negative.
The separation of the mother's circulatory system from the baby's circulatory system is one of the wonderful advantages of placental animals that allows diseased mothers to give birth to disease-free offspring. This gives mammals a survival advantage over other types of animals. For example, diseases pass more easily from a bird to its eggs.
Wiki User
∙ 16y ago
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True False All mutations can be passed on from a parent to an offspring?
Only mutations which occur in the gametes. Mutations in somatic cells ( body) are not passed on to offspring. Example: A mutation in skin cells leads to skin cancer, but this cannot be passed on to offspring.
How are genetic mutations passed from parent to offspring?
In the gametes.
How are mutations passed down from parent to offspring?
Mutations can be passed from parent to offspring only by mutations found in genes. These genetic mutations can be hereditary. Chromosomal mutations only occur in one person and cannot be passed on to the offspring.
Who does somatic mutation affect?
A somatic mutation is one that occurs in any body cell with the exception of the gametes (sperm and eggs). A somatic mutation cannot be passed on to offspring, so it affects only the person with the mutation.
Mutations in the DNA of genes can be passed on to offspring?
Yes. this is possible but depend on the change in the gene which can inherited the character or change which acquired temporarily. for e.g. if we take a vaccine of poleo it doesn't make any change in our offspring cause it is acquired but if we make change in our DNA sequence by the vector which is not temporary will seen in offspring with a need dependent improvement.
Would a skin cell mutation on your hand affect your offspring?
No. Skin cells are somatic cells. Your offspring come from gametes which are made by germ line cells. Only mutations in germ line cells or your gametes are passed on to your offspring.
True False All mutations can be passed on from a parent to an offspring?
Only mutations which occur in the gametes. Mutations in somatic cells ( body) are not passed on to offspring. Example: A mutation in skin cells leads to skin cancer, but this cannot be passed on to offspring.
Can mutations be passed from parents to offspring?
You can probably get a better idea from Wikipedia's article on Mutations: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutation
Where must a mutation occur if it passed to offspring?
In the gametes (e.g. sperm or egg)
How are similarities passed from parent to offspring?
Through the parental genes forming the two gametes.
How are genetic mutations passed from parent to offspring?
In the gametes.
What is most likely to alter the DNA in an individual's gametes before it is passed to an offspring?
Poor Nutrition
What kind of cells will a change in the genetic code be passed on?
Mutations in the genetic code that can be passed on to offspring occur in the gametes; the sperm and egg cells.
How is genetic information is passed from parents to offspring?
The traits are passed on through gametes, in which the males sperm carries, and the females eggs are carried. Each only contains one of each chromotids which decides your traits depending on the matches the chromosomes make.
How are mutations passed down from parent to offspring?
Mutations can be passed from parent to offspring only by mutations found in genes. These genetic mutations can be hereditary. Chromosomal mutations only occur in one person and cannot be passed on to the offspring.
Who does somatic mutation affect?
A somatic mutation is one that occurs in any body cell with the exception of the gametes (sperm and eggs). A somatic mutation cannot be passed on to offspring, so it affects only the person with the mutation.
Will a mutation that occurs in a skin cell be passed on to organism offspring?
Depends on how likely the mutation is to occur (how dominate) and on the genetics of the other parent. If the offspring is a clone, the mutation will be passed from parent to clone.
