Question

A deletion of a DNA segment alters a gene in a

single skin cell of an individual. Which statement
best describes a result of this mutation?
(1) Any cell produced from this skin cell will
have the same mutation.
(2) All offspring of the individual will have a skin
cell mutation.
(3) The mutation will spread into other types of
cells.
(4) The gametes of this individual will have the
same mutation.

Answer 1

The deletion of a DNA segment in a gene of a single skin cell leads to a somatic mutation, which would be passed on to the daughter cells derived from this skin cell but not to offspring.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks which statement best describes the result of a deletion mutation in a gene of a single skin cell. The correct answer is that any cell produced from this mutated skin cell will also have the same mutation. This is because the mutation described is a somatic mutation, which occurs in the cells of the body other than gametes (egg and sperm). Such mutations are passed on to the daughter cells when the mutated cell divides, but they do not affect the gametes, and therefore, they cannot be inherited by offspring.

Answer 2

A deletion of a DNA segment alters a gene in a single skin cell of an individual. This mutation is any cell produced from this skin cell will have the same mutation.