Which statement about genetic radiation effects is true?

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Multiple Choice

Which statement about genetic radiation effects is true?

Genetic radiation effects are changes in the DNA of germ cells (sperm or ova) that can be transmitted to offspring. Because these mutations reside in reproductive cells, they can be inherited by future children and may show up as hereditary conditions, even if the parent isn’t visibly affected by them. This is why the statement about being passed to future offspring is true. It’s not guaranteed that every inherited mutation will appear as cancer in the offspring; many mutations may have no cancer outcome or may cause other kinds of hereditary effects. Also, genetic effects are distinct from somatic effects, which occur in the irradiated individual and are not inherited. So the idea that genetic radiation effects can be passed to future offspring captures the heritable nature of germline mutations.

Genetic radiation effects are changes in the DNA of germ cells (sperm or ova) that can be transmitted to offspring. Because these mutations reside in reproductive cells, they can be inherited by future children and may show up as hereditary conditions, even if the parent isn’t visibly affected by them. This is why the statement about being passed to future offspring is true. It’s not guaranteed that every inherited mutation will appear as cancer in the offspring; many mutations may have no cancer outcome or may cause other kinds of hereditary effects. Also, genetic effects are distinct from somatic effects, which occur in the irradiated individual and are not inherited. So the idea that genetic radiation effects can be passed to future offspring captures the heritable nature of germline mutations.

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