Question

In what ways are somatic variations different from germinal variations?

Answer 1

Somatic variation:

Somatic variation refers to the variation in non-germinal cells, tissues, structures, and processes of the body.

Germinal variation:

Germinal variation is a type of variation which is commonly observed in the germplasm of organisms.

Somatic variation can be differentiated from germinal variation in six different ways given below:

	Somatic variations	Germinal variations
Definition	1. A type of genetic variation that occurs in somatic cells only.	1. A type of genetic variation that occurs in germ cells only.
Inheritance of variations	2. They are non-heritable from one generation to another.	2. They are inherited from one generation to another.
Significance	3. It is non-significant as it is not inherited from parents.	3. It is significant as it is inherited from parents to the offsprings.
Rate of mutation	4. It shows higher rate of mutation.	4. It shows lower rate of mutation.
Synonym	5. It is also known as acquired variation.	5. It is also known as blastogenic variation.
Association with evolution	6. It is not associated with evolution.	6. It is associated with evolution.