What is important about the DNA template strand?

Answer 1

The template and non-template strands of DNA are complementary.

This means that if a T (thymine)occurs on one strand, there must be an A (adenine) in that position on the other strand, and that C (cytosine) is always opposite G (guanine), following the rules of complementary base pairing.

There are other names for the two strands, but Googling them shows there is a lot of confusion out there! The terms "template strand" and "non-template stand" seem to be the only ones that everyone uses consistently. The template strand is the strand along which messenger RNA is synthesized, and has, of course, a base sequence complementary to that of the RNA.

The term "gene" is often applied to the non-template strand, the argument being that the non-template DNA strand and the mRNA have the same base sequence (except that where DNA has T, RNA has U, uracil).

In transcription, RNAP uses template strand to make a copy of mRNA. Complementary to template strand is the coding strand, which sequence is identical to mRNA sequence except for the substitution of U for T. Although the coding strand is not used as a template for common transcription events, it is called coding because its sequence is used as a copy in mRNA sequence. For the case of "sense", terminologically template strand is called antisense, and coding strand is called the sense strand.

Template/non-coding/antisense

Non-template/coding/sense

Many people confuse complementary sequences with palindromic sequence which you can find in restriction system recognition sequences. Although the template strand yields a sense (functional) sequence in mRNA and thus a properly-folded protein, the complementary strand of it, non-template strand upon being transcribed yields a totally different and non-functional protein. However in terms of transcription of palindrome, both strands yield the same mRNA sequence, thus the same protein.

Coding strand of a particular gene can be on one of either two strands of DNA, and thus this applies to the opposite strand of the said strand for the non-coding strand. The direction of transcription on a double-stranded DNA depends on whether the upper or lower strand is being transcribed. Therefore on a linearised genome, transcription occurs to the left for certain genes and to the right for the remaining genes.

Answer 2

It contains in a linear fashion, just Three Bases at a time [ the Triplet Codon ], the information that 'decides' the order of the assembly of individual amino acids - one triplet codon for each amino acid - into the nascent (newly formed) protein chain.

Answer 3

The DNA template strand is important because it serves as the template for mRNA synthesis during transcription. It determines the sequence of nucleotides in the mRNA molecule and ultimately influences the sequence of amino acids in the protein being synthesized. The DNA template strand is complementary to the mRNA transcript produced, ensuring accurate transfer of genetic information.

Answer 4

DNA tells a cell what to do RNA helps to carry it out

In other words, they are complementary.

Answer 5

the DNA template strand is essential in the creation of mRNA, which is the basis of protein sythesis

Answer 6

The mRNA is complementary and runs in the reverse direction relative to 5' and 3'.