Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

When the gene is successfully utilized by the cell to create proteins, what is this process called?

1. Replication

2. Mutation

3. Expression

4. Transcription

The correct answer is: Expression

The process of a gene being successfully utilized by the cell to create proteins is known as expression. Gene expression involves several steps, beginning with the transcription of DNA into messenger RNA (mRNA) and culminating in the translation of that mRNA into a functional protein. This is a crucial biological mechanism because it allows specific genes to produce the products necessary for cellular functions and organismal development. Understanding expression is vital in molecular biology, as it not only determines what proteins are produced but also how much of each protein is made in different types of cells and under various conditions. This regulation plays a significant role in processes such as cellular differentiation, response to stimuli, and overall metabolic control. In the context of the other options, replication refers to the process of copying DNA, which is essential for cell division but not directly involved in protein synthesis. Mutation pertains to changes in the DNA sequence that can lead to alterations in gene function, potentially affecting protein production but not being a process of direct protein creation. Transcription specifically refers to the synthesis of mRNA from a DNA template, which is a step in gene expression but does not encompass the entire process of creating proteins. Hence, expression is the comprehensive term that incorporates all steps leading to protein production from a gene.