Question

A man has mutations in his skin cells from excessive sun exposure. These mutations will not

be passed along to the man’s offspring because

Answer 1

the mutations were not genetic but he may pass on the gene to be more sensitive to sun exposure.

Answer 2

Ans.

Skin cells are normal body cells or somatic cells. Mutations in these cells are known as somatic mutations that do not transfer from one generation to another as these cells do not take place in the process of gamete formation.

Mutations that pass from one to another generation are germline mutations that occur in gamete-forming cells.

Hence, if a man experiences mutation in his skin cells due to sun exposure will not pass mutated traits along to his offspring.