At the age of 5, Sam was diagnosed with cancer. According to his oncologist, Sam was probably exposed to some toxic environmental factors that resulted in a genetic mutation causing his cancer. This is an example of - a. imprinting b. polygenic inheritance c. germline mutation d. somatic mutation
At the age of 5, Sam was diagnosed with cancer. According to his oncologist, Sam was probably exposed to some toxic environmental factors that resulted in a genetic mutation causing his cancer. This is an example of -
a. imprinting
| b. |
polygenic inheritance |
|
| c. |
germline mutation |
|
| d. |
somatic mutation |
D. somatic mutation is correct.
Explanation:
A somatic mutation is a genetic alteration that occurs in a cell that is not germline. Somatic mutations arise in cells after conception and are present only in certain tissues or organs and not in the sperm or egg cells. Hence, they are not passed on to the offspring.
In the case of Sam, his cancer was caused by a genetic mutation that arose in his body after he was born. This suggests that the mutation occurred in a somatic cell and not in a germline cell. Therefore, the most likely cause of Sam's cancer is a somatic mutation.
Trending now
This is a popular solution!
Step by step
Solved in 2 steps
