Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse (CPHON) Practice Exam

The DKC1 gene is crucial for the synthesis of proteins, particularly those involved in the formation and maintenance of ribosomes. It encodes a component of the telomerase complex, which is essential for maintaining telomere length during cell division. The role of the DKC1 gene in protein synthesis is significant because ribosomes are the cellular machinery responsible for translating mRNA into proteins. This process is vital for nearly all cellular functions, including growth, repair, and response to environmental changes. Therefore, the correct identification of DKC1's role in protein synthesis reflects its fundamental importance in cellular activities related to growth and development.

The other options involve different biological processes where DKC1's function is not primary. Cellular respiration focuses on energy production, vascular adhesion pertains to the interactions of cells with the vascular system, and hemoglobin production relates specifically to red blood cell function. None of these processes are directly linked to the function of the DKC1 gene in regulating protein synthesis.