Coding strand

Pronunciation
/KOH-ding strand/
Category
Molecular Biology
Singular
Coding strand
Plural
Coding strands

Definition

The strand of DNA that follows the same direction as mRNA synthesis and contains the genetic information that codes for proteins.

Etymology

From 'code' and 'strand'.

Example

The coding strand is used by RNA polymerase to synthesize mRNA.

Related Terms

  • mRNA
  • transcription
  • translation