AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -A mutation is a change in a genetic sequence. Mutations include changes as small as the substitution of a single DNA building block, or nucleotide base, with another nucleotide base. Meanwhile, larger mutations can affect many genes on a chromosome.

Detailed explanation-2: -Two major categories of mutations are germline mutations and somatic mutations. Germline mutations occur in gametes. These mutations are especially significant because they can be transmitted to offspring and every cell in the offspring will have the mutation. Somatic mutations occur in other cells of the body.

Detailed explanation-3: -Yes, you can inherit germline genetic mutations, while somatic mutations occur with no previous history of the mutation in your family. There are several patterns that genetic mutations can pass from the parent to a child (hereditary).

Detailed explanation-4: -These mutations can occur in the same gene (compound mutation) or in 2 different genes (double mutation), as indicated in Figure 2.