Acheckpoint protein may activate a pre programmed self-destruct sequence in a cell's dna code if dna damage is detected. what term correctly describes this process?

The correct answer is: apoptosis.

Apoptosis is programmed and controlled process of cell death which occurs usually when the cell’s DNA becomes damaged and potentially cancerous. It is triggered by the internal signals of the cell (or from the other cell) unlike necrosis, which is a cell death induced by the external signals such as trauma or deprivation.

Apoptosis

Explanation:

There are proteins whose function is to detect damage in DNA replication. When errors cannot be corrected, the cell undergoes apoptosis. This self-destruction ensures that DNA damage is not transmitted to daughter cells.  

In this way harmful cells and cancer are eliminated