Which strand of DNA is known as the coding strand?

The term "coding strand" refers to the strand of DNA that has the same sequence as the RNA that will be synthesized during transcription, with the exception of the substitution of uracil (U) for thymine (T) in RNA. This strand effectively provides the template for the creation of the mRNA, as it contains the necessary information for protein synthesis.

In this context, the "non-template strand" is the strand that is not involved in catalyzing the synthesis of RNA and instead serves as a reference for the mRNA sequence. This means that the non-template strand bears a direct resemblance to the resultant RNA molecule, allowing it to be termed the "coding strand." Therefore, the correct identification of the strand that functions in this capacity is indeed the non-template strand, affirming its role in ensuring that the genetic code is accurately transcribed into messenger RNA, which then guides protein production within the cell.