RESTRICTION FRAGMENT Meaning and
Definition
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A restriction fragment refers to a piece of DNA that is produced when a DNA molecule is cut into smaller fragments by enzymes known as restriction enzymes. These enzymes recognize and cleave DNA at specific recognition sites or sequences, resulting in the generation of distinct fragments with defined sizes.
Restriction fragments are central to many molecular biology techniques, particularly DNA sequencing, cloning, and genetic engineering. In these processes, restriction enzymes are employed to cut DNA at specific sites to generate fragments that can be further manipulated or analyzed. The resulting restriction fragments can be separated and visualized using gel electrophoresis, a technique that separates DNA molecules based on their size and charge.
The sizes of restriction fragments are determined by the location and sequence of restriction enzyme recognition sites on the DNA molecule. These enzymes typically recognize palindromic sequences, meaning that the recognition site and its complementary site read the same forward and backward. Consequently, the DNA molecule is cut into fragments with "sticky ends" or overhanging sequences that can be easily ligated with other DNA molecules through base pairing. Restriction fragments enable the insertion of foreign DNA into a vector during the process of creating a recombinant DNA molecule.
Overall, restriction fragments serve as crucial components in a wide range of molecular biology applications, allowing scientists to manipulate and analyze DNA in various research areas, including genetic engineering, genetic mapping, and disease diagnosis.
Common Misspellings for RESTRICTION FRAGMENT
- eestriction fragment
- destriction fragment
- festriction fragment
- testriction fragment
- 5estriction fragment
- 4estriction fragment
- rwstriction fragment
- rsstriction fragment
- rdstriction fragment
- rrstriction fragment
- r4striction fragment
- r3striction fragment
- reatriction fragment
- reztriction fragment
- rextriction fragment
- redtriction fragment
- reetriction fragment
- rewtriction fragment
- resrriction fragment
Etymology of RESTRICTION FRAGMENT
The word "restriction fragment" has its roots in two main parts: "restriction" and "fragment".
The term "restriction" refers to the process of cutting DNA molecules into smaller pieces using enzymes called restriction enzymes. These enzymes recognize specific DNA sequences and cut the DNA at or near those recognition sites. This process is known as "restriction digestion" or "restriction cleavage".
The word "fragment" refers to a small, distinct piece or portion that has been separated or broken off from a larger whole. In the context of DNA, fragments are the smaller pieces produced after the DNA molecule is cut by restriction enzymes.
Therefore, the term "restriction fragment" represents the smaller pieces of DNA that are generated when a DNA molecule is cleaved by restriction enzymes.
Similar spelling words for RESTRICTION FRAGMENT
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