When telomerase appears in a cell, it is not because the coding sequences of the gene have been mutated. Instead, the protein produced is essentially normal, but it is being produced at an abnormal time. A gene that is normally repressed has been activated for some reason. Such an alteration in DNA structure is referred to as _________ change.

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An epigenetic change refers to alterations in gene expression that occur without a change in the underlying DNA sequence. This can include changes to chromatin structure, DNA methylation, or histone modification, among other mechanisms. In the case of telomerase activation, it is likely that an epigenetic modification has occurred that is allowing a normally repressed gene to be expressed at an abnormal time.

When Telomerase Appears in a Cell, It Is Not Because