Which of the following is not a somatic effect?

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following is not a somatic effect?

Explanation:
Somatic effects are changes that occur in the person who is exposed to radiation and are not inherited by offspring. Cataracts in the irradiated lens, skin changes at the irradiated site, and leukemia in the irradiated person all manifest in the exposed individual, so they are somatic effects. A mutation in germ cells passed to offspring, on the other hand, is a genetic (heritable) effect because it can be transmitted to future generations and is not confined to the irradiated person. Therefore, the mutation in germ cells passed to offspring is not a somatic effect.

Somatic effects are changes that occur in the person who is exposed to radiation and are not inherited by offspring. Cataracts in the irradiated lens, skin changes at the irradiated site, and leukemia in the irradiated person all manifest in the exposed individual, so they are somatic effects. A mutation in germ cells passed to offspring, on the other hand, is a genetic (heritable) effect because it can be transmitted to future generations and is not confined to the irradiated person. Therefore, the mutation in germ cells passed to offspring is not a somatic effect.

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