Question

Assertion: Template or antisense strand, having 3'→5' polarity takes part in transcription.
Reason: Nontemplate or sense strand, having 5'→3' polarity, does not take part in transcription.
[1 mark]

• A. Both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion
• B. Both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion
• C. Assertion is true but reason is false
• D. Both assertion and reason are false

Answer 1

The correct option is B Both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion

The process of copying genetic information from one of the two strands of DNA (template strand) into RNA is called transcription.

RNA polymerase transcribes RNA in 5'→3' direction only.
That is why the DNA strand having polarity 3'→5' acts as a template strand or antisense strand and takes part in transcription.

The other DNA strand having polarity 5'→3' acts as a non-template strand or sense strand and does not take part in transcription.

Therefore, both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.