Given below are two statements: Statement I: In bacteria, DNA-dependent RNA polymerase alone facilitates the opening of the DNA helix and catalyzes elongation. Statement II: RNA polymerase associates transiently with the rho ( ) factor to initiate the process of transcription. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Step-by-step solution

Statement I is correct because in prokaryotes, the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase is capable of catalyzing elongation and inherently facilitates the opening of the DNA helix during transcription. Statement II is incorrect because RNA polymerase associates transiently with the initiation factor, sigma ( ), to initiate transcription. It associates with the rho ( ) factor to terminate the process, not to initiate it. Answer: Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect