What are transcription factors?

A) Transcription factors are proteins that help the repressor bind to the operator.
B) Transcription factors are proteins that help RNA polymerase bind to the promoter.
C) Transcription factors are proteins that help DNA polymerase bind to the promoter.
D) Transcription factors are proteins that help helicases bind to the operator.
E) Transcription factors are proteins that help the operator bind to the repressor.

Transcription factors are proteins that help RNA polymerase bind to the promoter region of DNA. This is a crucial step in transcription, as without transcription factors, RNA polymerase may not be able to accurately initiate the process of transcribing DNA into RNA. Option A is incorrect as transcription factors do not help the repressor bind to the operator, rather they help RNA polymerase bind to the promoter. Option C is incorrect because DNA polymerase is involved in DNA replication, not transcription. Option D is incorrect as helicases are enzymes involved in DNA replication and repair, not transcription. Option E is incorrect as the repressor is a protein that binds to the operator region of DNA, and transcription factors do not play a direct role in this interaction.