answersLogoWhite

0

A mutation occurring in a germ cell is heritable 50% of the time. Somatic cell mutations only affect the individual cell and its progeny produced by mitosis. Somatic cell mutations cannot be passed on to the organism's offspring.

User Avatar

Wiki User

9y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Biology

Does somatic mutation contribute to evolution?

No. Only germ line mutation can be passed on. Somatic mutations die with the organism that processes them. The change in allele frequency over time in a population of organisms, evolution, can not take place if the alleles can not get onto the population through the organism having progeny; the result of germ lines.


Why are somatic mutations generally less important than germ mutations?

Because the somatic mutation only produces the color of the iris of the eye. The germ mutation is in charge of the cell which will produce a gamete. It may be passed onto the offspring. So the somatic mutation isn't as important as the germ mutation.


Do mutations occur in a body cell can be passed on to an offspring?

Mutations in body cells are not typically passed on to offspring because they occur in somatic cells, which are not involved in reproduction. However, mutations in germ cells (sperm or egg) can be passed on to offspring.


Mutations that occur in germ-line cells are?

Somatic mutations occur in somatic body cells. These mutations are passed on to daughter cells during mitosis and to the offspring of those cells in turn, but are not passed on to sexually produced offspring.


What is the difference between somatic and gametic cells?

a germline mutation is one the was passed on to offspring because the egg or sperm cell was mutated. a somatic mutation is a mutation of the somatic cells (all cells except sex cells) that cannot be passed on to offspring.

Related Questions

Is the difference between germ line and somatic mutations?

A mutation occurring in a germ cell is heritable 50% of the time. Somatic cell mutations only affect the individual cell and its progeny produced by mitosis. Somatic cell mutations cannot be passed on to the organism's offspring.


How mutations can affect organisms?

It depends on if it is in the germ line or in a somatic Cell. In the germ line a mutation can cause birth defects or lethal mutations. In somatic Cells it can cause cancer. The Genetic Mutation will have either of these effects: either beneficial or detrimental.


Does somatic mutation contribute to evolution?

No. Only germ line mutation can be passed on. Somatic mutations die with the organism that processes them. The change in allele frequency over time in a population of organisms, evolution, can not take place if the alleles can not get onto the population through the organism having progeny; the result of germ lines.


What is the target tissue that is affected by the somatic tissue?

The target tissue affected by somatic mutations is the body's non-reproductive cells, including those in organs, muscles, and connective tissue. These mutations are not passed on to offspring as they do not affect germ cells.


Would a skin cell mutation on your hand affect your offspring?

No, a mutation in a skin cell on your hand would not affect your offspring because mutations in somatic cells (like skin cells) are not passed on to the next generation. Offspring inherit genetic information from germ cells (sperm and egg cells) which are not affected by mutations in somatic cells.


Why are somatic mutations generally less important than germ mutations?

Because the somatic mutation only produces the color of the iris of the eye. The germ mutation is in charge of the cell which will produce a gamete. It may be passed onto the offspring. So the somatic mutation isn't as important as the germ mutation.


Do mutations occur in a body cell can be passed on to an offspring?

Mutations in body cells are not typically passed on to offspring because they occur in somatic cells, which are not involved in reproduction. However, mutations in germ cells (sperm or egg) can be passed on to offspring.


Mutations that occur in germ-line cells are?

Somatic mutations occur in somatic body cells. These mutations are passed on to daughter cells during mitosis and to the offspring of those cells in turn, but are not passed on to sexually produced offspring.


What are the two types of mutations in gamete cells?

The two types of mutations in gamete cells are germ-line mutations, which occur in the sperm or egg cells and can be passed down to offspring, and somatic mutations, which take place in other body cells and are not passed on to offspring.


Do gametes come from germ cells of somatic cells?

somatic cell


Would a mutation in a cell in your skin be inherited by your children?

No, mutations in skin cells are not passed on to your children unless they occur in germ cells (sperm or egg cells) involved in reproduction. Skin cell mutations are considered somatic mutations and do not affect the genetic information passed on to offspring.


What are somatic cell and germ cell?

Germ cells are cells that become gametes (are n: have have the genetic material) and somatic cells are all the rest (2n)