smoking tobacco results in increased risk of mutations in the lung cells. consider someone who has smoked tobacco for many years and has acquired many mutations in their lung cells.
A. is this person's genome permanetly and completely changed by the mutations? Explain your reasoning.
B. will this persons pass on the mutations to their offspring? explain your reasoning
A. The person's genome is not permanently and completely changed by the mutations in their lung cells. Mutations in somatic cells, such as lung cells, are not passed on to the next generation. The mutations acquired in lung cells do not affect the DNA in the person's germline cells (sperm or egg cells), which are the only cells that can pass on genetic information to offspring. Therefore, the person's genome as a whole remains unchanged by the mutations in their lung cells.
B. Since the mutations acquired in lung cells are not present in the person's germline cells, they will not be passed on to their offspring. Offspring inherit genetic information from both parents through the germline cells, so mutations acquired in somatic cells like lung cells do not affect the genetic makeup of future generations. As a result, the mutations in the lung cells of someone who has smoked tobacco for many years will not be passed on to their offspring.