Mutations occur when segments of dna are accidentally rearranged through the deletion, insertion, or substitution of one or more nucleotides. the diagram below shows how a nucleotide sequence can be changed by these mutations.

if one or more of these mutations occurs in the genes of reproductive cells, how might the traits of offspring be affected?

they may receive a benefit.
they may not be affected at all.
they may be harmed.

The right answer are all of these 3 propositions.

At the DNA level, there are 3 types of mutations depending on their effect on proteins:

Mutation missense:

In genetics, we speak of "missense" mutation. The modified codon produces an amino acid (a sense) different from that usually produced, so the protein will be modified.

Nonsense mutations:

We are talking about "nonsense" mutation. In the case of nonsense mutations, playback stops and the  produced protein is incomplete. By replacing an amino acid codon with another codon that codes for "stop" (stop codon).

Silent mutations:

In genetics, certain modifications have no effect on the quality of the proteins produced, in the case where the amino acid concerned has several codons.