What effect do beneficial mutations have on an organism?

Beneficial mutations play a crucial role in the process of evolution and the adaptation of organisms to their environment. When a mutation is classified as beneficial, it generally means that it confers some advantage to the organism, which can enhance its survival and reproduction. This increase in adaptability can lead to a greater likelihood of passing those advantageous traits to future generations.

For instance, a mutation that improves an organism's ability to find food, evade predators, or withstand environmental stressors will likely lead to increased reproductive success. This means individuals with such beneficial mutations are more likely to survive long enough to reproduce and thus transmit these advantageous traits to their offspring.

The other options describe scenarios that are typically associated with harmful or neutral mutations, which do not enhance reproductive success. Harmful mutations tend to disrupt an organism's normal functioning or lead to non-functional proteins, thereby negatively impacting survival and reproductive outcomes. Therefore, in the context of beneficial mutations, it is clear that they substantially increase the chances of reproductive success by providing advantages that enhance the organism's ability to thrive in its environment.