Which would most likely produce a mutation that is passed on to offspring? tobacco smoke altering the genes in lung cells exposure to chemicals altering nerve cell function radiation changing the DNA sequence in skin cells a gamete with an extra chromosome forming

Question

Which would most likely produce a mutation that is passed on to offspring? tobacco smoke altering the genes in lung cells exposure to chemicals altering nerve cell function radiation changing the DNA sequence in skin cells a gamete with an extra chromosome forming

Answer 1

A mutation passed on to the offspring can only be possible if the alteration happens in the parent's reproductive cells, also known as gametes. In options A (tobacco smoke altering the genes in lung cells), B (exposure to chemicals altering nerve cell function) and C (radiation changing the DNA sequence in skin cells), the modifications occur in body (somatic) cells which don't contribute to offspring's genetic makeup. However, in option D (a gamete with an extra chromosome forming), modification is happening directly in the gamete. Should this altered gamete take part in fertilization, the resultant changes would affect the offspring since the changed genetic material from this gamete will become a part of the offspring's genetic makeup.

Question

Which would most likely produce a mutation that is passed on to offspring? tobacco smoke altering the genes in lung cells exposure to chemicals altering nerve cell function radiation changing the DNA sequence in skin cells a gamete with an extra chromosome forming

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Answer

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