In recombinant DNA technology, which enzyme is used to join fragments that have been cut by restriction enzymes? (JRF Plant Science 2019)

✅Explanation: DNA ligase is an enzyme that joins DNA fragments together by forming phosphodiester bonds between the ends of the DNA strands.

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📌Other Options Explanations:
-(A) EcoRI: A restriction enzyme that cuts DNA at specific sequences.
-(B) DNA polymerase: An enzyme that synthesizes new DNA strands.
-(C) DNA methylase: An enzyme that adds methyl groups to DNA.

🔑Key Points:
-DNA Ligase is the enzyme responsible for joining broken DNA fragments together.
-This enzyme facilitates the formation of phosphodiester bonds between the 3' hydroxyl end of one nucleotide and the 5' phosphate end of another.
-DNA Ligase is crucial during DNA replication and repair processes.
-Without DNA Ligase, the DNA strands would remain fragmented and incomplete, leading to genetic instability.
-It is extensively used in molecular biology labs for cloning and recombinant DNA technology.

🔴Additional information:
-DNA Polymerase is another essential enzyme but it is primarily involved in synthesizing new DNA strands by adding nucleotides.
-Alkaline Phosphatase is an enzyme used to remove phosphate groups from molecules, not to join DNA fragments.
-Restriction Endonucleases are enzymes that cut DNA at specific sequences, useful in genetic engineering and molecular cloning.