A specific recognition sequence identified by endonucleases to make cuts at specific positions within the DNA is:
Correct Answer :
Palindromic Nucleotide sequences
Solution :
The correct answer is Palindromic Nucleotide sequences.
Step-by-Step Explanation:
1. Understanding Endonucleases: Restriction endonucleases (often called restriction enzymes) are molecular scissors used in genetic engineering to cut DNA at highly specific locations. To do this, they first scan the DNA molecule to find a specific recognition site.
2. What is a Palindromic Sequence? The recognition sequence for restriction endonucleases is typically a palindromic nucleotide sequence. In genetics, a palindrome refers to a sequence of double-stranded DNA where reading the nucleotides in a specific direction (e.g., 5' to 3') on one strand matches the sequence read in the same direction (5' to 3') on the complementary strand.
3. Example of a Palindrome: Consider the restriction enzyme EcoRI. It recognizes and cuts the following sequence:
5' - GAATTC - 3'
3' - CTTAAG - 5'
Notice that when read from 5' to 3' on both the top and bottom strands, the sequence is exactly the same: 5'-GAATTC-3'.
4. Evaluating the Options:
- Degenerate primer sequence: These are mixtures of similar but not identical primers used in PCR to amplify variable genes. They are not recognition sequences for restriction enzymes.
- Okazaki sequences: Also known as Okazaki fragments, these are short, newly synthesized DNA fragments formed on the lagging template strand during DNA replication.
- Palindromic Nucleotide sequences: These are the specific symmetrical sequences recognized and cut by restriction endonucleases.
- Poly(A) tail sequences: This refers to a stretch of RNA that has only adenine bases, added to the 3' end of eukaryotic mRNA during post-transcriptional modification to protect it from degradation.
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