Which of the following initially determines which DNA strand is the template strand, and therefore in which direction RNA polymerase II moves along the DNA? View Available Hint (s) Which of the following initially determines which DNA strand is the template strand, and therefore in which direction RNA polymerase II moves along the DNA? the location of specific proteins (transcription factors) that bind to the DNA which of the two strands of DNA carries the RNA primer the location along the chromosome where the double-stranded DNA unwinds the position of the gene's promoter on the chromosome the specific sequence of bases along the DNA strands

the specific sequence of bases along the DNA strands

Explanation:

What determines which DNA strand is the template strand and therefore in which direction RNA polymerase II moves along the DNA is a specific sequence of nitrogenous bases along the DNA strands. This sequence is called the initiation codon.

The presence of the initiation codon (AUG) is extremely important as it provides the reading frame into which the mRNA will be translated. It is this codon that shows which of the DNA strands will serve as a template for RNA construction, and which direction RNA polymerase II should follow.

90% of the time AUG is the initiation codon for prokaryotes, but also AUA, GUG or UUG can be found. However, AUG is always the initiation code for eukaryotes.

During transcription in eukaryotes, a type of RNA polymerase called RNA polymerase II moves along the template strand of the DNA in the 3'→5' direction. However, for any given gene, either strand of the double-stranded DNA may function as the template strand.