Which change in DNA will cause a heritable germline mutation?

A. The sugar phosphate backbone of DNA in bone cells breaks due to exposure to X-rays.

B. Thymine dimers form in the DNA of a skin cell due to exposure to UV light.

C. A DNA replication error occurs in a sperm-producing cell.

D. An error occurs during transcription of the DNA in a liver cell.

Question

Biology

Jazlene Blankenship

5 January, 19:39

Which change in DNA will cause a heritable germline mutation?

A. The sugar phosphate backbone of DNA in bone cells breaks due to exposure to X-rays.

B. Thymine dimers form in the DNA of a skin cell due to exposure to UV light.

C. A DNA replication error occurs in a sperm-producing cell.

D. An error occurs during transcription of the DNA in a liver cell.

+1

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Evelin Farley · Answer 1

A DNA replication error occurs in a sperm-producing cell.

Explanation:

Mutations occurring in gametes are more important than those occurring in somatic cells since these mutations are inherited. Changes due to mutations are the basis of discontinuous variation in populations. The portion of DNA that mutated during replication can be transmitted in the usual Mendelian fashion.