What is the role of restriction enzymes in molecular biology?

Restriction enzymes, also known as restriction endonucleases, play a critical role in molecular biology by cutting DNA at specific sequences. This property is essential for various applications, particularly in gene cloning and genetic engineering. By recognizing particular sequences, often palindromic, these enzymes can create ends that are either blunt or sticky, which allows scientists to insert or remove DNA fragments with high precision.

This capability facilitates the manipulation of genetic material, enabling researchers to clone genes, create recombinant DNA, and prepare samples for sequencing or analysis. The use of restriction enzymes is fundamental to techniques such as ligation, where DNA fragments are joined together, and cloning, where a gene of interest is inserted into a vector to be multiplied.

The other choices pertain to different processes in molecular biology. While DNA amplification is typically accomplished through polymerase chain reaction (PCR), synthesizing RNA from a DNA template is the function of RNA polymerase during transcription. Identifying protein structures involves techniques like X-ray crystallography or NMR spectroscopy, which are distinctly separate from the actions of restriction enzymes.