Answers: Mutations

Q4. What is the difference between somatic and germline mutations?
  • A somatic mutation is a non-heritable mutation which occurs in a body cell of an organism and a germline mutation is a heritable mutation which occurs in cells that produce gametes by meiosis. If a germline mutation is transmitted to a child, it is incorporated into every cell in the child’s body whereas a somatic mutation is only acquired in a single body cell of one individual