In transcription, which DNA strand serves as the template for RNA synthesis?

In transcription, which DNA strand serves as the template for RNA synthesis?

• A. The coding strand
• B. The template strand
• C. The noncoding strand
• D. The RNA strand

Answer: (B)

In transcription, RNA polymerase uses the template strand of DNA to synthesize RNA. This template strand, also called the antisense strand, runs opposite to the direction of RNA synthesis and provides the complementary sequence to the new RNA. Because RNA is built 5' to 3', the RNA product is complementary to this template strand and essentially mirrors the coding (sense) strand, with uracil replacing thymine. The coding/non-template strand is not used as the template, though its sequence matches the RNA except for the T/U difference.

In transcription, RNA polymerase uses the template strand of DNA to synthesize RNA. This template strand, also called the antisense strand, runs opposite to the direction of RNA synthesis and provides the complementary sequence to the new RNA. Because RNA is built 5' to 3', the RNA product is complementary to this template strand and essentially mirrors the coding (sense) strand, with uracil replacing thymine. The coding/non-template strand is not used as the template, though its sequence matches the RNA except for the T/U difference.