Final answer:
A gene that influences multiple phenotypic traits is known as a pleiotropic gene. The correct answer to the question is a) Pleiotropic, indicating the broad impact that mutations in such genes can have on an organism.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a gene produces a number of different phenotypes, this gene is said to be pleiotropic. Therefore, a mutation in this gene would have a wide impact on a number of different cell/tissue types. The correct answer from the provided options is a) Pleiotropic.
Pleiotropy occurs when one single gene affects multiple traits. For example, the same gene that controls flower color in plants may also affect other aspects such as seed shape or leaf formation. This concept is critical to understanding how mutations in a single gene can lead to multiple phenotypic effects. Mutations in a pleiotropic gene can therefore result in a variety of changes, which may impact the organism's overall fitness and survival.
Mutations might produce phenotypes with reduced fitness or sometimes beneficial gains. Understanding pleiotropy helps in grasping the complexity of genetics and the interconnectivity of phenotypic traits.