Ans.
Mutations are permanent alterations in the nucleotide sequence of genetic material that are transmitted from one cell to another. On the basis of inheritance, mutations are somatic or inherited.
Inherited or genetic mutations are those mutations that occur in germ cells. These cells are inherited by the offspring from their parents as they are present in gametes. All cells of a multicellular organisms are made up of a single cell zygote. Thus, genetic mutations are present in each cell of the individual as they are present in zygote.
On the other hand, somatic mutations include those mutation that take place in somatic cells. These mutations are non-heritable as somatic cells do not play role in reproduction. Somatic mutations are acquired by individuals in their lifetime due to errors during DNA replication and are passed to their daughter cells.