Difference Between Template and Coding Strand

Template strand and coding strand refer to the two complementary strands of DNA that encode genetic information. The two strands in double-stranded DNA are referred to as the template and coding strands. The DNA strand known as the template strand serves as a blueprint for the production of RNA, whereas the coding strand is the other strand. The coding and template strands of a DNA structure are separate strands. There are just a few characteristics and functions that set them different.

Template Strand

The template strand is the non-coding DNA strand of a certain gene. The DNA template strand, also known as the anti-sense strand or the positive strand, is one of the strands that remain after being disclosed by the enzyme DNA helicase during the transcription process. This strand is read by RNA polymerase from 3′ to 5′. There is an anticodon in the template strand. It has identical nucleotide sequences as tRNA. The template strand serves as the starting point for the transcription of the mRNA, and the other strands choose the correct base sequence for the mRNA.

Coding Strand

The coding strand is the strand that acts as the non-template strand during transcription. The nucleotide bases in the mRNA base sequence will be the same as those in the coding strand, except thymine. Uracil is the nitrogenous base that takes the place of thymine in mRNA. Because it determines the RNA sequence that eventually codes for a certain amino acid sequence of a protein, the coding strand is also known as the sense strand. From the 5′ end to the 3′ end, this strand reads in the direction. Codons, which are nucleotide triplets that represent a specific amino acid in the polypeptide chain, are found on the coding strand.

Difference Between Template and Coding Strand

Basis of comparison	Template strand	Coding strand
Definition	The template strand is the non-coding DNA strand of a certain gene.	The coding strand is the strand that acts as the non-template strand during transcription.
Also known as	Antisense strand or minus strand	Sense strand, non-template strand, or plus strand
Base sequence	The template strand and the RNA produced by the process are Complimentary.	The RNA sequence is identical to the coding strand of DNA, except that Thymine is present in place of Uracil.
Polarity	5’ to 3’	3’ to 5’
Complementary nucleotide sequence	Absent	Present
Genetic coding	Contains anti-codon	Contains codon
Transcribed into mRNA	Yes	No
Formation of Hydrogen bond	During transcription, temporary hydrogen bonds are created between the template strand and the mRNA that is synthesizing.	During transcription, no hydrogen bonds are created between the coding strand and the mRNA that is being synthesized.

FAQs on Coding and Template Strand

Q1: Define template strand.

Answer: 

The template strand is the non-coding DNA strand of a certain gene. The DNA template strand is also known as the anti-sense strand or the positive strand. This strand is read by RNA polymerase from 3′ to 5′.

Q2: Write the similarities between the template and coding strand.

Answer:

Both template and coding strand are the composition of DNA molecules.

Q3: How do the coding strand and template strand vary from one another?

Answer:

The DNA strand that codes for the relevant gene is known as the coding strand. This is complementary to the template strand, which may be translated to create an RNA fragment with the same nucleotide sequence as the coding strand.