Somatic mutation

A somatic mutation is a change in the DNA sequence that occurs in the non-reproductive cells (somatic cells) of an organism. These mutations happen after conception and are not inherited by offspring. They can result from environmental factors like radiation or mistakes during cell division. While many somatic mutations are harmless, some can lead to diseases such as cancer if they affect genes controlling cell growth and division. Since they occur in individual body cells, somatic mutations are limited to certain tissues and do not pass on to future generations.