Final answer:
The correct term for the process of using a gene sequence to influence the traits of cells and organisms is gene expression, which involves transcription and translation of DNA into proteins.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of using a gene sequence to affect the characteristics of cells and organisms is called gene expression. This process includes the stages of transcription and translation, where a gene's DNA is first transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA) and then this mRNA is translated to synthesize a protein that determines the traits of an organism.
Therefore, the answer to the multiple-choice question is b. expression.