Answer:
the specific sequence of bases along the DNA strands
Step-by-step explanation:
What determines which DNA strand is the template strand and therefore in which direction RNA polymerase II moves along the DNA is a specific sequence of nitrogenous bases along the DNA strands. This sequence is called the initiation codon.
The presence of the initiation codon (AUG) is extremely important as it provides the reading frame into which the mRNA will be translated. It is this codon that shows which of the DNA strands will serve as a template for RNA construction, and which direction RNA polymerase II should follow.
90% of the time AUG is the initiation codon for prokaryotes, but also AUA, GUG or UUG can be found. However, AUG is always the initiation code for eukaryotes.