THE MOLECULAR BASIS OF INHERITANCE
GENE MUTATION
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Question
[CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
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Mutations in somatic cells
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Mutations in germ line cells
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Mutations in germ line cells and somatic cells are both heritable.
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It depends on the specific mutation.
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Detailed explanation-1: -Germline mutations occur in a parent’s reproductive cells (egg or sperm). These mutations change the genetic material that the child receives from their parent (hereditary).
Detailed explanation-2: -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-3: -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. Other mutations can happen on their own during a person’s life. These are called sporadic, spontaneous, or new mutations.
Detailed explanation-4: -Other examples include mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes which predispose to breast and ovarian cancer, or mutations in MLH1 which predispose to hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer.
Detailed explanation-5: -Germline Mutations Can Raise Cancer Risk The most common mutations are among Lynch syndrome and BRCA1/2 genes, affecting approximately 1 in 279 and 1 in 400 Americans, respectively.