sticky end

views updated

sticky end (cohesive end) A single unpaired strand of nucleotides protruding from the end of a double-stranded DNA molecule. It is able to join with a complementary single strand, e.g. the sticky end of another DNA molecule, thus forming a single large double-stranded molecule. Sticky ends provide a means of annealing segments of DNA in genetic engineering, e.g. in the packaging of vectors.

More From encyclopedia.com