Somatic mutation

For other uses, see Mutation (disambiguation).

Somatic mutation, in genetics, is called that mutation that affects the somatic cells of the individual. As a consequence mosaic individuals appear that possess two different cell lines with different genotype. Once a cell undergoes a mutation, all cells that derive from it by mitotic divisions will inherit the mutation. A mosaic individual originated by a somatic mutation possesses a group of cells with a different genotype to the rest, the sooner the mutation has been given in the development of the individual the greater the proportion of cells with different genotype. Assuming that the mutation had occurred after the zygote's first division (in two-cell state), half of the cells of the adult individual would have one genotype and the other half a different one. Mutations that affect only somatic cell cells are not transmitted to the next generation. It is possible to know the origin and the past of the cells of the multicellular organisms when analyzing the somatic mutations present in these cells. Bibliography

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