D1.3.6—Consequences in germ vs. somatic cells
Germ-line mutations can be inherited, whereas somatic mutations affect body-cell descendants and may contribute to disease in one individual only.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Objective
- D1.3.6
- Level
- SL
Exam analysis
Chance of appearing2%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceNovember 2025
Most common paperPaper3
Typical marks1–3
Common command terms
- Distinguish
Scoring notes
- Common mistake
- Saying any mutation can automatically be inherited regardless of cell type.
Recent exam appearances
November 2025Paper1A ["SL"] · TZ17[ 1 ]D1.3.6—Consequences in germ vs. somatic cells
May 2012Paper3 ["SL"] · TZ1F3(b)[ 3 ]D1.3.6—Consequences in germ vs. somatic cells
November 2011Paper3 ["SL"] · TZ0F3(a)[ 1 ]D1.3.6—Consequences in germ vs. somatic cells
Practice this objective
Coverage 2011–2025 · Updated 16 Jul 2026
Concept essentials
- Only germ-line mutations can normally be passed to offspring.
- Somatic mutations affect body cells and their descendant cells.
- Somatic mutations can contribute to cancer without being inherited by children.
- Germ-line gene therapy raises heritable-change concerns.