Final answer:
A mutation in the proteins of a gene can have different impacts on an organism, resulting in traits that are either negatively, positively, or neutrally affected. Harmful mutations can cause disorders or reduce function, while beneficial mutations can confer advantages, and neutral mutations have no impact on fitness.
Step-by-step explanation:
If the proteins making up a gene were changed or mutated, the impact on an organism could vary. The correct answer to this question is d. A trait of the organism may be changed in either a negative, positive, or neutral way.
Mutations can cause a protein to be made incorrectly, which may alter how well the protein works, or even result in a nonfunctional protein. Such changes often have detrimental effects on the organism. However, in some cases, a mutation could be beneficial, leading to a trait that enhances survival or reproduction. Neutral mutations, which have no effect on an organism's fitness, are also possible. For instance, silent point mutations do not alter the amino acids in a protein, resulting in no change in its function.
A mutation can be harmful if it results in a protein that cannot perform its function, as seen in disorders like sickle cell disease. Conversely, a mutation can be beneficial if it gives the organism an advantage under specific environmental conditions. Therefore, the effect of a mutation is not always predictable and can range from harmful to beneficial or have no effect at all.