Which term refers to a stable change in the genetic material that can be inherited?

Which term refers to a stable change in the genetic material that can be inherited?

• A. Allele
• B. Polymorphism
• C. Mutation
• D. Karyotype

Answer: (C)

A mutation is a stable alteration in the DNA sequence that can be passed to the next generation when it occurs in germ cells. This makes it heritable, meaning it can persist through cell divisions and be transmitted to offspring. Mutations can take many forms—point changes, insertions, deletions, or larger chromosomal rearrangements—and when they occur in the germline, they become part of the inherited genetic material. In contrast, an allele is simply a version of a gene, and a polymorphism is a common genetic variant found in a population; neither necessarily emphasizes a new, heritable change. A karyotype describes the number and structure of chromosomes, not a conditional change itself. So the term that best matches a stable, inheritable change in genetic material is mutation.

A mutation is a stable alteration in the DNA sequence that can be passed to the next generation when it occurs in germ cells. This makes it heritable, meaning it can persist through cell divisions and be transmitted to offspring. Mutations can take many forms—point changes, insertions, deletions, or larger chromosomal rearrangements—and when they occur in the germline, they become part of the inherited genetic material.

In contrast, an allele is simply a version of a gene, and a polymorphism is a common genetic variant found in a population; neither necessarily emphasizes a new, heritable change. A karyotype describes the number and structure of chromosomes, not a conditional change itself. So the term that best matches a stable, inheritable change in genetic material is mutation.