If a mother’s____________ cell contains mutated DNA, this mutation can be passed to her offspring. Which of the following options correctly completes the sentence above?
A.
somatic
B.
white blood
C.
germ.
D.
Stem
Final answer:
A mutation in a mother’s cell can be passed on to her offspring through germ cells.
Explanation:
If a mother’s cell contains mutated DNA, this mutation can be passed to her offspring. The specific type of cells responsible for passing genetic information from parents to offspring are called germ cells. Somatic cells, on the other hand, are responsible for carrying out the body’s functions and do not contribute to the genetic makeup of the offspring. Therefore, the correct option to complete the sentence is germ.
Final answer:
The correct term to complete the sentence is ‘germ’. A mutation in germ cells can be passed to offspring because these cells are involved in reproduction, and such mutations may be included in every cell of the offspring, including their reproductive cells.
Explanation:
If a mother’s cell contains mutated DNA, this mutation can be passed to her offspring if it is in a germ cell. Germ cells, or gametes, are the reproductive cells that unite during fertilization to form a new organism. Therefore, a mutation in these cells can be inherited by the offspring and incorporated into every cell of their body, including their own germ cells, allowing the mutation to potentially be passed on to future generations.
On the contrary, mutations that occur in somatic cells, which are any cells forming the body of an organism excluding germ cells, are not inherited by offspring. These mutations may lead to issues such as cancer within the individual organism, but they typically cannot be passed down to offspring. Germline mutations are distinguishable from somatic mutations because they occur in the DNA of germ cells and can affect an entire lineage if they are transmitted through reproduction.