If a mutation occur in a somatic cell, the resulting mutant phenotype will occur:

a. only in the individual cell

b. only in the progeny from that individual cell

c. only in the offspring of that organism

d. in both the progeny of that individual cell and the individual cell itself

e. neither the progeny from that individual cell or the offspring of the organism

Question

Biology

Dave

4 April, 17:01

If a mutation occur in a somatic cell, the resulting mutant phenotype will occur:

a. only in the individual cell

b. only in the progeny from that individual cell

c. only in the offspring of that organism

d. in both the progeny of that individual cell and the individual cell itself

e. neither the progeny from that individual cell or the offspring of the organism

+3

Answers (1)

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Shania Branch · Answer 1

d. in both the progeny of that individual cell and the individual cell itself

Explanation:

Somatic mutations occur in the somatic cells of the individuals. Since the genetic material of the somatic cells is not passed to the next generation of an organism, the somatic mutations do not appear in the progeny of an individual.

Somatic cells divide by mitosis which in turn maintains the identity of DNA between the parent and the daughter cells. Therefore, the new cells derived from a mutated somatic cell would also carry the same mutation.