Final answer:
The alteration in the DNA sequence of a human skin cell will not be inherited by offspring but can be passed to new daughter skin cells as these cells divide. This type of mutation in somatic cells can lead to clonal cell populations with the same mutation, and play a role in the development of conditions like cancer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question inquires whether a change in the DNA sequence from CATGGC to GATGGC, if replicated in a human skin cell, will be passed on to successive cells. Such changes in the DNA sequence during replication are known as mutations. These mutations can occur frequently, but most are repaired soon after they happen. However, if a mutation is not repaired, it leads to a heritable change in the DNA that can be passed down to future cells.
In the context of a skin cell, which is a type of somatic cell, a mutation will not be inherited by offspring but can be passed to daughter cells when that cell divides. This means that any alteration in the DNA of a somatic cell such as a skin cell can lead to a clone of cells with that mutation if the cell continues to divide. This process is a critical factor in the development of diseases such as cancer, where uncontrolled cell growth and division can result from such mutations.
If the mutation had occurred in a germ cell (sperm or egg), it could be passed on to the next generation. However, for the case presented in the question, the alteration would only be passed to the new skin cells that arise from the division of the mutated cell, not to the person's offspring.