Asked by albaquirky

A student observes that sticky ends created by restriction enzymes have single-stranded overhangs. How do these sticky ends facilitate the creation of recombinant DNA?
Responses

They make the DNA more flexible and easier to handle
They make the DNA more flexible and easier to handle

They provide complementary sequences that can base-pair with matching sticky ends
They provide complementary sequences that can base-pair with matching sticky ends

They make the DNA visible under ultraviolet light
They make the DNA visible under ultraviolet light

They prevent the DNA from being degraded by other enzymes

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
They provide complementary sequences that can base-pair with matching sticky ends.

Explanation: sticky (cohesive) ends are single-stranded overhangs that can hydrogen-bond to complementary overhangs on another DNA fragment, aligning the pieces so DNA ligase can seal the sugar–phosphate backbone. The other choices are incorrect.