Final answer:
Exposure to a mutagen can lead to harmful disruptions, beneficial changes, or neutral effects on an organism's gene function, with the specific outcome depending on various factors. Mutagens do not change DNA into proteins or directly alter codon-anticodon binding.
Step-by-step explanation:
Exposure to a mutagen such as X-rays or ultraviolet light can have several potential effects on an organism. These effects include:
- A - The mutagen may disrupt gene function to the harm of the organism, causing mutations that may lead to diseases like cancer or impair the organism's ability to survive and reproduce.
- B - The mutagen may change gene function in a way that benefits the organism. Though less common, such changes could provide evolutionary advantages.
- E - The mutagen may have little or no observable effect on the organism. Minor changes may be effectively repaired by cellular mechanisms or may be neutral with no effect on fitness.
It's important to note that:
- Option C is incorrect because mutagens do not change the genetic material from DNA to proteins. DNA remains as DNA, although its sequence may be altered.
- Option D is incorrect because codon-anticodon binding occurs during protein synthesis, and while a mutation could affect the sequences involved and therefore affect protein synthesis, mutagens do not directly change this binding.
Mutations are complex and can vary widely in their consequences depending on numerous factors, including the type of mutagen and the nature of the mutation itself.