What role do gene regulators play in genetics?

Gene regulators play a critical role in controlling the timing and amount of gene expression, making option C the correct choice. These regulators can be proteins or RNA molecules that interact with specific sequences of DNA or RNA, influencing the transcription process. By binding to these regulatory regions, they can increase or decrease the expression of particular genes, thereby playing a vital role in various cellular functions and processes, including development, differentiation, and response to environmental signals.

This regulatory function is essential for the proper functioning of cells, as it allows for the dynamic adaptation of gene expression in response to internal and external cues. For example, in different tissues, even though the same DNA is present, gene regulators ensure that only the necessary genes are expressed at the right levels, contributing to the specificity of cell function and identity.

The other options do not accurately capture the primary role of gene regulators. Gene regulators do not create genes, nor do they determine the speed of DNA replication or work specifically to repair DNA mutations. Their primary function is to modulate gene expression, making option C the most accurate and relevant choice.