Which term best describes a hereditary change in the DNA sequence that can be passed to offspring?

Which term best describes a hereditary change in the DNA sequence that can be passed to offspring?

• A. Somatic mutation
• B. Epigenetic change
• C. Gene duplication
• D. Germline Mutation

Answer: (D)

A heritable change in the DNA sequence that can be passed to offspring must originate in the germ cells, so it is transmitted through gametes. A germline mutation is a change in the DNA sequence that occurs in the cells that give rise to sperm or eggs (or their precursors) and is inherited by the next generation. This distinguishes it from somatic mutations, which occur in body cells and are not passed on to offspring. Epigenetic changes involve modifications that affect gene activity without altering the actual DNA sequence, so they aren’t changes in the sequence itself. While gene duplication is a type of DNA sequence alteration that can be inherited if it occurs in the germline, the term that best describes a hereditary change in the DNA sequence passed to offspring is germline mutation.

A heritable change in the DNA sequence that can be passed to offspring must originate in the germ cells, so it is transmitted through gametes. A germline mutation is a change in the DNA sequence that occurs in the cells that give rise to sperm or eggs (or their precursors) and is inherited by the next generation. This distinguishes it from somatic mutations, which occur in body cells and are not passed on to offspring. Epigenetic changes involve modifications that affect gene activity without altering the actual DNA sequence, so they aren’t changes in the sequence itself. While gene duplication is a type of DNA sequence alteration that can be inherited if it occurs in the germline, the term that best describes a hereditary change in the DNA sequence passed to offspring is germline mutation.