Which among the following enzyme make cuts at specific positions within the DNA?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3)- Endonuclease
Restriction enzymes belong to a larger class of enzymes called nucleases. These are of two kinds; exonucleases and endonucleases. Exonucleases remove nucleotides from the ends of the DNA whereas, endonucleases make cuts at specific positions within the DNA.
Endonucleases are enzymes that cleave the phosphodiester bonds within the DNA chain. They can make cuts at specific positions, such as recognizing and cleaving at particular sequences of nucleotides. These enzymes play crucial roles in processes like DNA repair, recombination, and restriction enzyme activity.
DNA ligase, exonuclease, and polymerases have different functions in DNA processes but are not primarily responsible for making cuts at specific positions.