Which type of mutation can be transmitted from parent to offspring?

The correct answer is gametic cell mutation, as mutations that occur in the gametes—sperm or egg cells—can indeed be transmitted from parent to offspring. This means that if a mutation arises in these reproductive cells, it has the potential to be passed down during fertilization, affecting the genetic makeup of the resulting offspring.

In contrast, somatic cell mutations occur in non-reproductive cells and typically affect the individual organism but do not get passed on to the next generation, as they do not contribute to the genetic material involved in reproduction. Genetic disorders are often the result of mutations, but they represent a class of conditions rather than a specific type of mutation. Phenotypic mutations would refer to observable traits that may result from genetic changes but don’t specifically address the transmission of mutations through reproductive cells. Therefore, the focus on gametic cell mutations aligns with the context of hereditary transmission.