What is the Difference Between Sense and Antisense Strand?

The sense and antisense strands of DNA are two complementary strands that make up the double helix structure. They play different roles in the process of protein synthesis:

• Sense strand: This strand is also known as the coding strand because it contains the code to make a protein when read in the right direction. During protein production, the sense strand serves as a template for producing messenger RNA (mRNA), which directs the synthesis of a protein. The sense strand directly corresponds to the amino acids of a protein.
• Antisense strand: This strand is also known as the non-coding strand or template strand. In a cell, the antisense DNA serves as the template for producing mRNA, which directs the synthesis of a protein. The antisense strand is complementary to the sense strand and is used as a template for the mRNA. During transcription, the template strand (antisense) encodes a complementary mRNA transcript, and the mRNA transcript directly specifies the downstream amino acid sequence.

In summary, the sense strand provides the code for protein synthesis, while the antisense strand serves as a template for producing the mRNA that directs the synthesis of the protein.

Comparative Table: Sense vs Antisense Strand

The difference between the sense and antisense strands of DNA lies in their role in gene expression and the direction of transcription. Here is a table summarizing their differences:

The sense strand is used to synthesize mRNA, which carries the genetic code for making the corresponding protein. In contrast, the antisense strand is used as a template for mRNA transcription and does not directly participate in the formation of the protein.