4A - Enzymes That Manipulate DNA

Question 1

endonuclease

Answer 1

An enzyme that breaks the phosphodiester bond between two nucleotides in a polynucleotide chain.

Question 2

recognition site

Answer 2

A specific target sequence of DNA upon which restriction endonucleases act.

Question 3

restriction endonulcease

Answer 3

Any enzyme that acts like molecular scissors to cut nucleic acid strands at specific recognition sites. AKA restriction enzyme.

Question 4

sticky end

Answer 4

The result of a staggered cut through double-stranded DNA by an endonuclease resulting in overhanging nucleotides.

Question 5

blunt end

Answer 5

The result of a straight cut across the double-stranded DNA by an endonuclease resulting in no overhanging nucleotides.

Question 6

overhanging nucleotides

Answer 6

Unbonded nucleotides on the ends of the DNA strand resulting from a staggered cut.

Question 7

ligase

Answer 7

An enzyme that joins molecules, including DNA or RNA, together by catalysing the formation of phosphodiester bonds.

Question 8

polymerase

Answer 8

An enzyme that synthesises a polymer from monomers, such as forming a DNA strand from polymerase enzymes to attach.

Question 9

primer

Answer 9

A short, single strand of nucleic acids that acts as a starting point for polymerase enzymes to attach.