What type of process is impacted by genes encoding proteins?

• A. External metabolic processes
• B. Cognitive processes
• C. Cellular processes
• D. Reproductive processes

Answer: (C)

Genes encoding proteins are fundamentally crucial to cellular processes because proteins play a vital role in nearly all aspects of cell function. Proteins, which are synthesized based on the instructions encoded in genes, facilitate a myriad of cellular activities. These include but are not limited to enzymatic reactions, cellular structure formation, signal transduction, and transport of molecules across cell membranes.

Indeed, cellular processes encompass functions essential for growth, maintenance, response to stimuli, and reproduction at the cellular level. For example, enzymes that are proteins catalyze biochemical reactions that allow cells to convert nutrients into energy, replicate their DNA, and carry out other necessary functions for survival.

In contrast, while genes do influence aspects of cognitive and reproductive processes, these areas are broader and involve additional layers of complexity beyond simply the proteins they code for. External metabolic processes may also be affected by proteins, but they are primarily considered in the context of the cellular machinery that regulates these processes. Thus, the most direct and fundamental impact of genes encoding proteins is observed in cellular processes.