Restriction' in restriction enzyme refers to

Options

A. cleaving of phosphodiester bond in DNA by the enzyme
B. cutting of DNA at specific position only
C. prevention of the multiplication of bacteriophage in bacteria
D. all of the above

Answer

C

Explanation

A restriction enzyme is an enzyme that cuts DNA at or near a specific recongnition nucleotide sequences known as restriction sites. These enzymes are found in bacteria and provide a defense mechanism against invading virus. Inside a prokaryote, the restraction enzyme cuts up foreign DNA in a process called 'restriction' while host DNA is protected by a modification enzyme that modifies the prokaryotic DNA and blocks cleavage. Together, these processess form restriction modification system.