Question

question 3 of 20 :
select the best answer for the question.

1. whats the difference between germline mutations and somatic mutations?

a. germline mutations are caused by mutagens in the environment, while somatic mutations are inherited from a parent.

b. germline mutations can cause serious problems, while somatic mutations dont.

c. germline mutations are inherited from a parent, while somatic mutations are caused by mutagens in the environment.

d. germline mutations cant be passed on from a parent to a child, while somatic mutations can.

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Explanation:

• Option A: Germline mutations are inherited (not caused by environmental mutagens), and somatic mutations are not inherited from parents, so A is wrong.
• Option B: Both germline and somatic mutations can cause serious problems (e.g., somatic mutations in cancer), so B is wrong.
• Option C: Germline mutations occur in germ cells and are inherited from parents. Somatic mutations occur in somatic cells and can be caused by environmental mutagens (or other factors), so this matches the definitions.
• Option D: Germline mutations can be passed to offspring, somatic mutations cannot, so D is wrong.

Answer:

C. Germline mutations are inherited from a parent, while somatic mutations are caused by mutagens in the environment.