| MadSci Network: Genetics |
> Why are mutations that don't occur in sex cells not passed on to future generations?
Because only the egg and sperm are involved in the production of a new organism. Therefore, only those body cells which are directly involved in meiosis, the production of eggs and sperm, can pass mutations to the next generation. Animal body cells (unlike bacteria) are unable to pass genetic material between each other.
This is a fine safeguard, because most mutations are harmful.
| Dan Berger | |
| Bluffton College | |
| http://cs.bluffton.edu/~berger |
Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Genetics.