Restriction enzymes - choosing the right one for the job

A worksheet aimed at A-Level Biology students that looks at various examples of restriction enzymes and whether they are suitable for cutting out a gene from a sequence of DNA. Students must look carefully at the restriction recognition sequence for each enzyme and decide whether it is suitable for removing the gene. This is based on whether the recognition sequence occurs in the middle of the gene or at the ends and whether the enzyme will leave blunt or sticky ends.

Key words: Restriction, enzyme, blunt, sticky, gene, DNA, EcoR1, HindIII, BamH1