TEAS 7 science study guide free Related

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What is the difference between a germline mutation and a somatic mutation?

  • A. Germline mutations are passed to offspring, while somatic mutations are not.
  • B. Germline mutations occur in reproductive cells, while somatic mutations occur in body cells.
  • C. Germline mutations only affect genes, while somatic mutations can affect any DNA.
  • D. Germline mutations are always beneficial, while somatic mutations are always harmful.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Rationale:
- Germline mutations are changes in the DNA of reproductive cells (sperm or egg cells) and can be passed on to offspring, affecting all cells in the resulting organism.
- Somatic mutations are changes in the DNA of non-reproductive cells (body cells) and are not passed on to offspring. These mutations only affect the cells that arise from the mutated cell.
- Option A is incorrect because somatic mutations are not passed to offspring.
- Option C is incorrect because both germline and somatic mutations can affect any DNA.
- Option D is incorrect because the effects of mutations, whether germline or somatic, can be beneficial, harmful, or have no significant impact.