AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The correct answer would be B) through meiosis only. Any mutation in human being can pass onto the next generation only when it is present in germ cells. Germs cells are the cells which lead to the formation of gametes (sperm in males and egg in females) through meiosis.

Detailed explanation-2: -Germ-line mutations occur in reproductive cells (sperm or eggs) and are passed to an organism’s offspring during sexual reproduction. Somatic mutations occur in non-reproductive cells; they are passed to daughter cells during mitosis but not to offspring during sexual reproduction.

Detailed explanation-3: -If a parent carries a gene mutation in their egg or sperm, it can pass to their child. These hereditary (or inherited) mutations are in almost every cell of the person’s body throughout their life. Hereditary mutations include cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, and sickle cell disease.

Detailed explanation-4: -A spontaneous mutation can just happen. These mutations are not caused by an environmental factor but occur during normal cellular processes. A spontaneous mutation may be due to a mistake during DNA replication. Mutations may also occur during mitosis and meiosis.

Detailed explanation-5: -Importantly, new mutations also occur during meiosis, at frequencies much higher than during the mitotic cell cycles. These meiotic mutations are associated with genetic recombination and depend on double-strand breaks (DSBs) that initiate crossing over.