Final answer:
The antisense strand is called so because it does not contain the code for proteins; instead, it is the template used by RNA polymerase to synthesize mRNA, which is complementary to it and identical to the coding strand, with T replaced by U.
Step-by-step explanation:
The antisense strand, also known as the noncoding strand, is utilized as a template for RNA polymerase during the transcription process. The correct option is B) Because it is the strand that does not code for proteins. This strand is labeled as antisense because it is complementary to the sense or coding strand which contains the actual genetic code for proteins.
In eukaryotic cells, the mRNA created is initially a pre-mRNA, which includes both exons (coding regions) and introns (non-coding regions). This pre-mRNA undergoes processing where introns are spliced out, and the remaining exons are reconnected to form the final mRNA sequence that leaves the nucleus and translates into proteins. Hence, the coding (sense) strand corresponds to the final mRNA sequence, excluding the replacement of T with U, and the antisense strand serves as the template for transcribing this mRNA, making it noncoding and complementary to the coding strand.