Final answer:
Rho-independent termination in gene transcription occurs when the polymerase encounters a region rich in C-G nucleotides and the mRNA folds into a hairpin loop, causing the polymerase to stall.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rho-independent termination in gene transcription occurs when the polymerase encounters a region rich in C-G nucleotides. In this process, the mRNA folds into a hairpin loop, causing the polymerase to stall and leading to the termination of transcription.