‘Molecular scissors’ are used to cut the -

The correct answer is Option (1) → DNA

Restriction enzymes are called ‘molecular scissors’. Each one recognises a specific base sequence (a palindrome) in DNA and cuts the DNA at or near that site. This cutting at specific locations made recombinant DNA technology possible.

(1) DNA — Correct. The molecular scissors are the restriction enzymes. Each one recognises its specific sequence in DNA, binds to it and cuts each of the two strands of the double helix.

(2) RNA — Incorrect. RNA is broken down by ribonuclease, which is used to remove RNA while isolating DNA.

(3) Protein — Incorrect. Proteins are broken down by protease.

(4) Lipid — Incorrect. Lipids are broken down by lipase. Restriction enzymes act only on DNA.

NCERT Extract:
Principles of Biotechnology – “… Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer accomplished this in 1972 by isolating the antibiotic resistance gene by cutting out a piece of DNA from a plasmid which was responsible for conferring antibiotic resistance. The cutting of DNA at specific locations became possible with the discovery of the so-called ‘molecular scissors’– restriction enzymes. The cut piece of DNA was then linked with the plasmid DNA.”