What is the term for a mutation that occurs in gametes?

A mutation that occurs in gametes is termed a germline mutation. This type of mutation is significant because it can be passed on to the offspring, thereby affecting the genetic makeup of future generations. Germline mutations can lead to variations in traits and may even contribute to evolutionary changes over time.

In contrast, somatic mutations occur in non-reproductive cells and are not inherited. While point mutations involve a change in a single nucleotide and frameshift mutations result from insertions or deletions that alter the reading frame of the genetic code, both types of mutations can happen in either somatic or germline cells. However, only mutations occurring in gametes are classified as germline mutations, emphasizing their potential impact on successive generations.