Question

Molecular scissor used in genetic engineering is ________.

Answer 1

Genetic engineering:

1. Genetic engineering includes techniques of biotechnology.
2. The genetic material of any organism is converted by introducing a desirable gene to it and its phenotype is changed.
3. When a foreign DNA is combined with the DNA it is called rDNA.
4. To insert the desirable gene in DNA we need to cut the host DNA.
5. This is done by using the nuclease enzymes.
6. Nuclease enzymes are of three types: exonuclease, endonuclease and restriction endonuclease.
7. Restriction enzymes are specific as they cut the internal phosphodiester bond of DNA molecule at a specific nucleotide sequence.
8. This sequence is called as restriction site.
9. It is widely used in genetic engineering and also called molecular scissor.

Final answer: Molecular scissor used in genetic engineering is restriction endonuclease.