restriction endonuclease
A scientist uses a restriction endonuclease to cut a DNA strand in the laboratory.
Noun: A restriction endonuclease is a type of enzyme that cuts DNA at specific, short nucleotide sequences known as restriction sites. These enzymes are produced by bacteria as a defense mechanism to cut and disable the DNA of invading viruses. In biotechnology, they are essential tools for cutting DNA at precise locations, which allows scientists to isolate, analyze, and recombine DNA fragments.
This term is used in the fields of molecular biology, genetics, and biotechnology. It describes a specific class of enzymes with a precise biochemical function. * The researcher used a restriction endonuclease to cut the plasmid DNA at the desired location. * Restriction endonucleases are indispensable for creating recombinant DNA molecules.
- Restriction Enzyme: This is a common synonym for restriction endonuclease. The two terms are used interchangeably in most scientific contexts.
- The experiment requires a specific restriction enzyme that recognizes a six-base-pair sequence.
- Type II Restriction Endonuclease: This specifies the most commonly used class of these enzymes in laboratory research, which cut DNA within or very near their recognition sequences.
- EcoRI is a classic example of a Type II restriction endonuclease.
- Restriction Enzyme (n): A synonym for restriction endonuclease.
- Endonuclease (n): A broader category of enzymes that cut nucleic acids (DNA or RNA) at internal sites. All restriction endonucleases are endonucleases, but not all endonucleases are restriction enzymes.
- Restriction Site (n): The specific DNA sequence recognized and cut by a restriction endonuclease.
- Restriction Fragment (n): A piece of DNA resulting from cleavage by a restriction endonuclease.
- Restriction enzyme
- Molecular scissors (informal, descriptive term)
The term "restriction endonuclease" does not have common, different meanings outside of its specific biochemical definition. Its meaning is highly specialized and consistent within scientific discourse.
A scientist uses a restriction endonuclease to cut a DNA strand in the laboratory.
- any of the enzymes that cut nucleic acid at specific restriction sites and produce restriction fragments; obtained from bacteria (where they cripple viral invaders); used in recombinant DNA technology