Coding strand

The DNA double helix is rewound by RNA polymerase at the rear of the transcription bubble.

[3] Like how two adjacent zippers work, when pulled together, they unzip and rezip as they proceed in a particular direction.

Various factors can cause double-stranded DNA to break; thus, reorder genes or cause cell death.

[4] Where the helix is unwound, the coding strand consists of unpaired bases, while the template strand consists of an RNA:DNA composite, followed by a number of unpaired bases at the rear.

This hybrid consists of the most recently added nucleotides of the RNA transcript, complementary base-paired to the template strand.

Two linear DNA strands are separated by a blue oval, which is creating RNA by running along the template strand. The coding strand is above, not attached to RNA polymerase.
Position of the template and coding strands during transcription .