Final answer:
The correct match to 'activator' in the context of a 'silencer' is 'suppressor,' which is option 2. Activators enhance transcription via enhancer sequences, while suppressors inhibit transcription through silencer sequences.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of gene regulation, an activator is to an enhancer as a suppressor is to a silencer. The correct answer to the student's question is 2) Suppressor. Enhancers and silencers are DNA elements that play crucial roles in the regulation of gene expression. Enhancers are sequences that increase the efficiency of gene expression but are not essential for transcription initiation. Activator proteins bind to enhancers to stimulate transcription. Conversely, silencers are DNA sequences that repress gene expression, and repressor proteins bind to these sequences to inhibit transcription. Therefore, just as activator proteins are associated with enhancers, suppressor (or repressor) proteins are associated with silencers, acting as the counterpart in gene repression.
An activator is to an enhancer as a suppressor is to a silencer. Just like an activator enhances the transcription of a gene, a suppressor reduces or inhibits the transcription of a gene. While enhancers and silencers are both DNA sequences that regulate gene expression, enhancers enhance or increase gene expression, while silencers suppress or decrease gene expression.