Question

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. 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?

A. the location of specific proteins (transcription factors) that bind to the DNA

B. the specific sequence of bases along the DNA strands

C. the location along the chromosome where the double-stranded DNA unwinds

D. the position of the gene’s promoter on the chromosome

E. which of the two strands of DNA carries the RNA primer