AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -A gene change in a body’s reproductive cell (egg or sperm) that becomes incorporated into the DNA of every cell in the body of the offspring. Germline mutations are passed on from parents to offspring. Also called germline variant.

Detailed explanation-2: -Errors in DNA copying during cell division and development can cause new mutations-called de novo mutations-at any time from the moment of conception. Mutations that occur in the germ line-the cells that develop into sperm or eggs-can be passed on to the next generation and, perhaps, cause disease in children.

Detailed explanation-3: -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.