Answer: The coding strand has the same base sequence as the mRNA (with T instead of U) and is not transcribed; the template strand is read by RNA polymerase.
- A The coding strand has the same base sequence as the mRNA (with T instead of U) and is not transcribed; the template strand is read by RNA polymerase
- B The template strand is understood to usually contain more guanine bases overall than the corresponding coding strand according to conventional understanding
- C Mainly the coding strand of a gene is understood to be found and present specifically within eukaryotic genomes in routine practice overall in most cases
- D The coding strand of a gene is understood to be synthesised first chemically, before the template strand forms under typical conditions according to standard textbooks
Correct answer: A. The coding strand has the same base sequence as the mRNA (with T instead of U) and is not transcribed; the template strand is read by RNA polymerase
Explanation: The coding strand has a sequence equivalent to the mRNA (except T replaced by U) but is not directly copied; RNA polymerase reads the complementary template strand to synthesise the mRNA.
Helicase unwinds the double helix at the replication fork; one new strand (leading) is synthesised continuously toward the fork, while the other (lagging) must be made in short, separate Okazaki fragments because DNA polymerase only adds nucleotides 5'→3'.
Concept context
DNA structure, replication, transcription, translation, the genetic code, and gene regulation (lac operon). The single most important chapter for NEET molecular biology.