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They cut DNA at specific sequences.

Restriction endonucleases work by cutting DNA at specific sequences. The places that are cut are known as restriction sites.

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Gussie Gutkowski

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2y ago
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14y ago

Restriction enzymes are used for genetic engineering. they expose the base sequence of a DNA fragment. The enzymes cut the phosphate backbones of DNA molecules at specific base sequences called recognition sites. Strands of DNA that have been cut with restriction enzymes sometimes have single-stranded tails that readily realign with tails from certain other DNA fragments. This technology allows removing a specific gene from one organism and splicing it into another. Restriction enzymes originally developed in bacteria as a defense against viruses, who inject DNA in bacteria which takes over the cell. The bacteria's restriction enzymes cut up viral DNA before it can take over the cell.

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16y ago

Restriction enzymes protect the DNA in a bacterial cell (or cells) by opposing viral DNA.

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9y ago

The function of restriction enzymes in living cells is to destroy the DNA of invading microorganisms, such as viruses. These enzymes are commonly found in bacteria and archaea.

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8y ago

They cut DNA at specific sequences.

Restriction endonucleases work by cutting DNA at specific sequences. The places that are cut are known as restriction sites.

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Q: What does restriction endonuclease do?
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