Final answer:
In transcriptional control, transcription factors are the molecules that bind to the DNA sequence and/or polymerase. They recruit RNA polymerase to initiate transcription in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, playing a crucial role in gene expression regulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Transcription Factors in Transcriptional Control
The molecules that bind to the DNA sequence and/or polymerase in transcriptional control are transcription factors. These regulatory proteins play an essential role in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic transcription. In prokaryotes, transcription factors control when RNA polymerase binds to a promoter and begins to transcribe a gene. In eukaryotes, transcription factors are part of a complex system that includes other regulatory proteins to manage the frequency of RNA synthesis from a gene. Transcription factors specifically bind to DNA regulatory elements, which are near the promoters, and then recruit RNA polymerase to initiate transcription.
Unlike prokaryotic RNA polymerase, which can bind directly to DNA, eukaryotic transcription requires multiple transcription factors to first bind to the promoter region. After this, they help recruit the appropriate RNA polymerase, enabling the intricate process of transcription to commence. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is option 1) Transcription factors.