Which term describes the process when genetic information is utilized to synthesize proteins?

The correct term that describes the process when genetic information is utilized to synthesize proteins is gene expression. This process involves two key stages: transcription and translation. During transcription, the DNA sequence of a gene is copied to produce messenger RNA (mRNA), which carries the genetic information out of the nucleus and into the cytoplasm. In the translation stage, the mRNA is read by ribosomes, which then assemble the corresponding amino acids to form proteins based on the sequence of codons in the mRNA.

Gene expression is crucial for the proper functioning of cells, as proteins play various roles including structural components, enzymes, and signaling molecules. Understanding this process is fundamental to genetics and molecular biology, as it links the genetic code to the diverse array of functions proteins fulfill in living organisms.

The other options do not relate to the synthesis of proteins from genetic information. Deletion refers to the loss of a segment of DNA, nondisjunction pertains to the failure of chromosomes to separate properly during cell division, and cancer involves uncontrolled cell growth which can stem from mutations but does not define the actual process of protein synthesis itself.