Which of the following describes the role of tables in a database?

The role of tables in a database is primarily to contain fields and rows of related data. Tables are the fundamental structure of a relational database, where data is organized in a way that allows for easy access, manipulation, and retrieval. Each table presents a specific entity such as customers or products, with columns representing attributes (fields) and rows representing individual records. This organization facilitates relationships between different tables, supporting complex queries and data analysis.

While other options relate to various functions that may be part of a broader database management system, they do not accurately describe the primary role of tables. For instance, restricting user access pertains more to database security roles and permissions, whereas defining how data is stored is representative of database design or configuration principles. Meanwhile, managing database transactions refers to ensuring data integrity during operations but does not define what a table is or its primary function in data organization. The emphasis on fields and rows captures the essence of what tables do in a relational database context.