Which semiconductor component has a gate electrode?

The correct choice identifies the field effect transistor (FET) as the semiconductor component that has a gate electrode. In a FET, the gate is a crucial element that allows the control of the flow of current between two other terminals, known as the source and drain. The voltage applied to the gate controls the conductivity of a channel between the source and drain, enabling the FET to function as a switch or amplifier.

In contrast, a bipolar transistor consists of three regions (emitter, base, and collector) and does not have a gate; instead, it uses the current at the base to control the current between the collector and emitter. A silicon diode and a bridge rectifier, on the other hand, are designed for rectifying current and do not utilize gate electrodes in their operation. Therefore, the presence of a gate electrode is a distinctive characteristic of field effect transistors, highlighting their unique functionality in electronic circuits.