Final answer:
Trans-acting factors are proteins like transcription factors that bind to specific DNA sequences to regulate gene transcription, while cis-acting elements are DNA sequences on the same chromosome as the gene they regulate and provide binding sites for trans-acting factors. The answer is option D.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most accurate statement describing the function of trans- and cis-acting factors in mediating gene regulation is: Trans-acting factors can bind to specific DNA sequences whereas cis-acting sites are DNA sequences. Trans-acting factors are proteins such as transcription factors that can travel through the cell and bind to specific DNA sequences, including promoters, enhancers, or silencers, to regulate gene transcription.
On the other hand, cis-acting elements are regions of the DNA itself, such as promoters or enhancer sequences, located on the same chromosome and near the genes they regulate. These cis-regulatory elements provide binding sites for the trans-acting factors. Together, these elements and factors contribute to the intricate control of gene expression in a cell, responding to environmental cues that dictate when a particular gene should be turned on or off.