An organism is exposed to a mutagen that causes a mutation in the kidney cells. Which best describes if the offspring of the organism will inherit the mutation, and why?
a
The offspring will not inherit the mutation because the mutation is not in a sex cell.
b
The offspring will inherit the mutation because the abnormal protein that is synthesized will be copied into the sex cells.
c
The offspring will inherit the mutation because the arrangement of the DNA is permanently altered.
d
The offspring will not inherit the mutation because enzymes will fix the mutation before it can be passed on.
a) The offspring will not inherit the mutation because the mutation is not in a sex cell.
Mutations that occur in somatic cells (such as kidney cells) are not passed down to offspring. In order for a mutation to be heritable, it must occur in the germ cells (sex cells) that are involved in the production of sperm or eggs.