Ultraviolet radiation causes mutations in the DNA of skin cells that have been exposed to the Sun. Will such mutations have any effect on future offspring?
a
no, because offspring are immune to changes in parental DNA
b
yes, because DNA is passed on from parent to offspring
c
yes, because skin cells play an important role in reproduction
d
no, because the changes have no effect on the gametes of the parents
d
no, because the changes have no effect on the gametes of the parents
Mutations in the DNA of skin cells caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation are considered somatic mutations. These mutations occur in the cells of the body that do not contribute genetic information to offspring (i.e., they are not germ cells like egg or sperm). Therefore, they are not usually passed on to future generations. For a mutation to affect offspring, it must occur in the gametes, or the germ cells of the parents.