Final answer:
The term that refers to the regulatory events that establish a specific pattern of gene activity and developmental fate for a given cell is determination.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that refers to the regulatory events that establish a specific pattern of gene activity and developmental fate for a given cell is determination.
Determination is the process by which a cell becomes committed to a particular developmental fate. It involves the activation or silencing of specific genes, which determines the cell's ultimate fate and function.
For example, during embryonic development, certain cells in the ectoderm will express genes specific to skin cells, leading to their differentiation into epidermal cells with specific characteristics.