Step 1: Understanding recombinant DNA formation.
Recombinant DNA technology involves cutting DNA and joining DNA fragments from different sources.
Step 2: Role of ligase enzyme.
DNA ligase forms phosphodiester bonds between DNA fragments, sealing breaks in the DNA backbone.
Step 3: Function in plasmid recombination.
After restriction enzymes cut DNA, ligase joins foreign DNA with plasmid DNA to form stable recombinant DNA.
Step 4: Evaluating other enzymes.
- DNAases: degrade DNA.
- Primase: synthesizes RNA primers.
- Exonuclease: removes nucleotides from ends.
Step 5: Logical reasoning.
Only ligase can join DNA fragments permanently.
Step 6: Final conclusion.
Thus, DNA ligase is the correct answer.