Question

Which best describes somatic mutations?

a.they are usually passed on to offspring.
b.they can cause different kinds of cancer.
c.they always result from point mutations.
d.they only occur in reproductive cells.?

Answer 1

The most appropriate answer would be option b.

Somatic mutations refer to the set of genetic alterations which take place in somatic cells or tissues.

As they do not take place in cells which take part in the formation of gametes, they are not transferred from parents to the offspring.

Somatic mutations can cause several developmental disorders and accumulation of these mutations can even lead to cancer

Answer 2

The right answer is B.

Thus, cancer is the consequence of an accumulation of genome alterations, somatic mutations (mutation affecting all types of cells except germ cells).

The mutation rate can be increased by some agents of the environment. This is the case of ultraviolet (UV) radiation that causes DNA damage and is responsible for many but not all skin cancers.