How do mutations in body cells differ from mutations in egg or sperm cells?

The primary difference between mutations in body cells and those in egg or sperm cells lies in their potential for inheritance.

• Somatic Mutations: These occur in body cells (somatic cells) and are not passed on to offspring. While they cannot be inherited, they can affect the individual in whom they occur, potentially leading to diseases such as cancer or causing abnormal function in a specific sector or patch of cells.123
• Germinal Mutations: These occur in germ cells—specifically sperm and eggs—and are transmissible to offspring. If a mutation is present in the parental gametes, it can be passed to the next generation, resulting in an individual where every cell carries the mutated DNA. Such mutations are responsible for inherited genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis.2134

In summary, while somatic mutations affect only the individual and their descendant cells, germinal mutations have the potential to impact future generations by becoming part of the genetic makeup of the offspring.231