A portion of the coding strand of DNA for a gene has the sequence
5′-...GGAGAGAATGAATCT...-3′

Write out the template DNA strand sequence and polarity as well as the mRNA sequence and polarity for this gene segment.

Key Concepts

DNA Strands and Polarity

DNA consists of two strands: the coding strand and the template strand. The coding strand has the same sequence as the mRNA (except for thymine being replaced by uracil in RNA), while the template strand is complementary to the coding strand. The polarity of DNA strands is indicated by the 5' to 3' direction, which is crucial for understanding replication and transcription processes.

Transcription Process

Transcription is the process by which the genetic information in DNA is copied into mRNA. During transcription, RNA polymerase reads the template DNA strand and synthesizes a complementary RNA strand. This process involves pairing adenine with uracil (in RNA) instead of thymine, and it occurs in the 5' to 3' direction, resulting in an mRNA strand that carries the genetic code from the DNA to the ribosome for protein synthesis.

Complementary Base Pairing

Complementary base pairing is a fundamental principle in nucleic acid structure and function, where specific nitrogenous bases pair with each other: adenine (A) pairs with thymine (T) in DNA and uracil (U) in RNA, while cytosine (C) pairs with guanine (G). This pairing ensures accurate replication and transcription of genetic information. Understanding this concept is essential for determining the sequences of both the template DNA and the resulting mRNA.