Final answer:
The collective term for the process of capping, polyadenylation, and splicing is referred to as post-transcriptional modification, which is a part of post-transcriptional regulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of capping, polyadenylation, and splicing is collectively termed as post-transcriptional modification. These processes make up an essential part of post-transcriptional regulation, occurring after the mRNA is transcribed but before it is translated into a protein.
The 5' capping involves the addition of a 7-methylguanosine cap to the 5' end of the nascent pre-mRNA, which protects it from degradation. The polyadenylation occurs at the 3' end, where a poly-A tail is added, enhancing the stability of the pre-mRNA and facilitating its export to the cytoplasm. Finally, splicing is the process whereby introns are removed, and exons are joined together to produce the mature mRNA ready for translation. These modifications are crucial for the production of a correct and functional protein.