Mastery Mutation

Types of Mutations

• Somatic mutations: occur in non-reproductive cells (e.g. skin, muscle, blood cells) and are not passed on to offspring.
• Germ-cell mutations: occur in reproductive cells (e.g. sperm, egg cells) and can be passed on to offspring.

Effects of Germ-Cell Mutations

• Can result in hereditary diseases or disorders in offspring.
• Can alter the frequency of a particular trait or characteristic in a population.

Mutations and Cancer

• Somatic mutations: can lead to cancer, as they can disrupt normal cellular function and lead to uncontrolled cell growth.
• Germ-cell mutations: can increase the risk of cancer in offspring, as they can affect the functioning of genes involved in tumor suppression.
• Both types of mutations can contribute to the development of cancer, but somatic mutations are more directly associated with cancer development.

Test your knowledge on mutations with our quiz! Learn about the two major categories of mutations - somatic and germ-cell mutations - and understand their differences. Discover how these mutations can affect an individual and whether or not they are heritable. Sharpen your understanding of genetics with this informative quiz.