Answer :
Final answer:
Homothallism in budding yeast represents an example of gene regulation via programmed DNA rearrangement, involving the physical rearrangement of DNA to switch mating types.
Explanation:
Gene regulation via programmed DNA rearrangement represents a scenario wherein the DNA sequence itself is physically rearranged to either activate or deactivate genes. In the options provided by the student, homothallism in budding yeast is an example of programmed DNA rearrangement. This process allows yeast to switch mating types through a complex DNA rearrangement mechanism. Other options, such as precursor RNA splicing, the lac operon, genomic imprinting, and RNA interference, involve different mechanisms of gene regulation distinct from the rearrangement of DNA sequences.
