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6.4 distinguish between germ line and somatic mutations in terms of their effect on species
distinguish between germ line and somatic mutations in terms of their effect on species
- Cells that produce gametes (eg. in ovaries and testes) are called germ-line cells. If mutations occur in these cells, they can be inherited if fertilization takes place. The offspring’s cells will contain the mutation. Because of this, mutations in germ-line cells contribute to the species gene pool and can influence whole populations of organisms and their evolution.
- Somatic mutations occur in cells in the body other than sex organs such as ovaries and testes. Somatic cells that undergo mutations cannot pass these on to offspring and so have no effect on species and their evolution. An example of this a mutation in skin cells due to exposure to UV rays to cause skin cancer. The mutation simply stays in the individual within a population and does not affect the population as a whole.