EcoRI makes staggered cuts when it cleaves DNA,creating single-stranded tails called "sticky ends." These ends can form a complementary base pair.Assuming that the concentration of cut DNA strands is not rate limiting in order for the complementary ends to base pair,which condition is necessary?
A) The presence of specific helicases
B) Sufficiently high temperature to dissociate complementary strands
C) Methyl groups at the end of each DNA strand
D) Sufficiently low temperature to encourage hydrogen binding of DNA strands
E) Phosphodiester bonds between the complimentary DNA strands

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The formation of hydrogen bonds between complementary bases is dependent on temperature. Lower temperatures favor the binding of complementary strands, while higher temperatures encourage dissociation. Helicases are involved in unwinding double-stranded DNA, but are not necessary for base pairing between sticky ends. Methyl groups at the end of DNA strands do not affect complementary base pairing, and the presence of phosphodiester bonds is necessary for the formation of a complete double-stranded DNA molecule, but is not relevant to the formation of complementary base pairs.

EcoRI Makes Staggered Cuts When It Cleaves DNA,creating Single-Stranded Tails