Why would a mutation in a somatic cell of a multicellular organism escape detect
ID: 78930 • Letter: W
Question
Why would a mutation in a somatic cell of a multicellular organism escape detection? a. Most somatic mutations are recessive and do not cause a phenotypic change in the cell. As a result, it is highly unlikely that the organism will be sufficiently altered to respond to a screen. b. Most somatic mutations are dominant and do not cause a phenotypic change in the cell. As a result, it is highly unlikely that the organism will be sufficiently altered to respond to a screen. c. When conducting genetic screens, it is assumed that all the cells are genetically identical. Since a somatic mutation first appears in a single cell, it is highly unlikely that the organism will be sufficiently altered to respond to a screen because none of the other cells will have the mutation. d. A somatic mutation is a type of mutation that can be easily repaired. Therefore, the mutation is often corrected before the genetic screen takes place.Explanation / Answer
Answer is option C. When conducting generic screens, it is assumed that all the cells are genetically identical. Since a somatic mutation first appears in a single cell, it is highly unlikely that the organism will be sufficiently asked to respond to a screen because none of the other cells will have the mutation.