Which of the following events can result in an offspring with unique heritable characteristics?
Select each correct answer. More than one answer may be correct.
1)mutations of genes in an organism's body cells
2)replication of existing genes during asexual reproduction
3)mutations of genes in an organism's sex cells
4)recombination of existing genes during sexual reproduction

Question

Which of the following events can result in an offspring with unique heritable characteristics?
Select each correct answer. More than one answer may be correct.
1)mutations of genes in an organism's body cells
2)replication of existing genes during asexual reproduction
3)mutations of genes in an organism's sex cells
4)recombination of existing genes during sexual reproduction

anonymous · Answer

Oh this is a horrible question.  There are two correct answers, but I believe the correct response is only one of the options.

mutations in body cells-these are somatic cells, nothing to do with reproduction, so would a mutation matter?  Can a woman with a brain tumor pass the abnormal brain tumor genes to her child?

asexual reproduction-not including some very specific instances, asexual reproduction creates clones.  This is what things like our skin cells do to heal.  Could this result in unique offspring?

mutations in sex cells-tricky.  Depends on many factors but may or may not result in mutations in gametes

recombination-this is when sexual reproduction rearranges genes and the like on chromosomes.  Humans use sexual reproduction and this always occurs.  In fact, it occurs in all sexually reproducing creatures.

anonymous · Answer

number two and four right ?

anonymous · Answer

Only one choice.  You have the correct one in there.  Remember asexual reproduction is cloning.  Would a cloned organism have a unique genome compared to the source of its genetic material?