Which statement best distinguishes somatic mosaicism from germline mosaicism?

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Multiple Choice

Which statement best distinguishes somatic mosaicism from germline mosaicism?

The key idea is that inheritance depends on whether the mutation is present in germ cells. Germline mosaicism means a portion of the sperm or eggs carry the mutation, so the child can inherit it even if the parent’s somatic tissues look normal. Somatic mosaicism, on the other hand, is confined to body cells and typically does not involve gametes, so it is not usually passed to offspring. Testing a parent's blood can miss mosaic mutations that exist only in germ cells, and vice versa, which is why the ability to be transmitted to offspring is the defining distinction. Hence, only germline mosaicism can be passed to offspring.

The key idea is that inheritance depends on whether the mutation is present in germ cells. Germline mosaicism means a portion of the sperm or eggs carry the mutation, so the child can inherit it even if the parent’s somatic tissues look normal. Somatic mosaicism, on the other hand, is confined to body cells and typically does not involve gametes, so it is not usually passed to offspring. Testing a parent's blood can miss mosaic mutations that exist only in germ cells, and vice versa, which is why the ability to be transmitted to offspring is the defining distinction. Hence, only germline mosaicism can be passed to offspring.

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