Final answer:
The TATA box is located about 25 to 35 bases upstream from the transcriptional start site in eukaryotic genes and plays a key role in the initiation of transcription by recruiting various transcription factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The TATA box of eukaryotic genes is usually located about 25 to 35 bases upstream from the transcriptional start site. This box, with a consensus sequence of 5'-TATAAA-3', serves as the binding site for the TFIID protein complex, which includes the TATA-binding protein. This binding is crucial as it recruits other transcription factors such as TFIIB, TFIIE, TFIIF, and TFIIH, which together assist in binding RNA polymerase to the promoter and activating the transcription initiation complex.