To contribute to a change in the characteristics of a species over time, a mutation must occur in a germ cell (egg or sperm) rather than in a somatic cell (which includes brain cells, skin cells, and nerve cells). Therefore, the following options can contribute:
- b. a mutation in an egg cell
- d. a mutation in a sperm cell
Mutations in germ cells can be passed on to the next generation, thereby contributing to evolutionary changes in the characteristics of a species. The other options listed involve somatic cells, which do not contribute to heritable changes in a species.