Answer:
Somatic hypermutation is a process in which point mutations build up in the antibody V-regions of both the heavy and light chains.
This process occurs at rates that are about 106-fold higher than the background mutation rates observed in other genes.
It allows B cells to mutate the genes that they use to produce antibodies. This then ensures the B cells to produce antibodies that are better able to bind to bacteria, viruses and other infections.
