Enzymes in Molecular Biology

Question 1

What is the function of nucleases?

Answer 1

An enzyme capable of cleaving the phosphodiester bonds between nucleotide subunits of nucleic acids

-can be endonucleases (breaks internally) or exonucleases (5’-3’ or 3’-5’) - clipping nucleotides at end

E.g - DNA repair, cell death

Question 2

What is the function of polymerases?

Answer 2

Creating polymers of nucleic acids such an RNA or DNA
e.g DNA replication, DNA repair invitro-polymerase chain rxn
RNA polymerases - transcription

Question 3

What is the function of ligases?

Answer 3

-DNA ligases join DNA strands together by catalysing the formation of a phosphodiester bond

e.g DNA replication, DNA repair, in vitro - cloning