Final answer:
Transcription factors facilitate the binding of RNA polymerase to the promoter region of a gene, initiating gene transcription. They do not play a direct role in intron splicing, translation, or mRNA degradation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Transcription factors play a crucial role in gene transcription and protein translation. They are proteins that bind to the DNA template strand and help in the binding of RNA polymerase to the promoter region of the gene. This binding allows RNA polymerase to initiate transcription and transcribe the gene into mRNA molecules. Therefore, statement 1) is correct.
However, transcription factors do not play a direct role in the splicing of introns from the pre-mRNA molecule (statement 2)). This process is carried out by spliceosomes, which consist of RNA and proteins.
In addition, transcription factors are not directly involved in the translation of mRNA into proteins (statement 3)). This process occurs in the cytoplasm and involves the ribosomes, tRNA molecules, and the genetic code carried by the mRNA.
Finally, transcription factors also do not play a role in the degradation of mRNA molecules (statement 4)). mRNA degradation is mediated by specific enzymes called exonucleases.
In summary, the role of transcription factors in gene transcription is to facilitate the binding of RNA polymerase to the promoter region of the gene, which initiates the transcription process. They are not involved in splicing, translation, or mRNA degradation.