What is gene activation?

Gene activation refers to the process where specific genes are turned on or expressed, resulting in the production of proteins. This process is crucial for the proper functioning of cells, as different cells need to express different sets of genes depending on their role in the organism and environmental signals.

When a gene is activated, the DNA sequence of the gene is transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA), which then serves as a template for protein synthesis in the ribosome. The ability to control which genes are activated allows cells to respond to internal and external stimuli, differentiate into specialized cell types, and maintain homeostasis.

In this context, other choices do not align with the definition of gene activation. The breakdown of proteins or the inability of genes to express themselves does not pertain to the activation process, nor does the replication of genetic material, which involves duplicating DNA rather than turning specific genes on for protein production.