Final answer:
The release factor RF-1 recognizes the UAA stop codon and RF-2 recognizes the UAG stop codon during translation termination.
Step-by-step explanation:
The release factor RF-1 recognizes the UAA stop codon and the release factor RF-2 recognizes the UAG stop codon during translation termination. Therefore, the answer to your question is: a) RF-1 The release factor that recognizes the stop codons UAA and UAG during translation termination in prokaryotes is RF-1. Release factors are critical for concluding the process of protein synthesis by recognizing stop codons and triggering the release of the newly synthesized polypeptide chain from the ribosome. RF-1 is specific for the stop codons UAA and UAG, while RF-2 recognizes UAA and UGA. RF-3 is involved in the disassembly of the post-termination complex, but it does not directly recognize stop codons.