Final answer:
RuvC endonuclease resolves Holliday junctions according to a patch recombination model when the cuts are on the opposite strands and there is crossover, a process that promotes genetic diversity and preserves genomic stability.
Step-by-step explanation:
RuvC endonuclease resolves Holliday junctions according to a patch recombination model if the cuts are on the opposite strands, and there is crossover. When resolving Holliday junctions, RuvC makes cuts on opposite DNA strands, which leads to crossover events between homologous chromosomes. Crossover involves the exchange of genetic material between nonsister chromatids, which can increase genetic diversity within a population. This patch recombination process as facilitated by RuvC does not result in any deletions or loss of genetic information, which is crucial for maintaining genomic stability.
Holliday junctions are crucial intermediates in homologous recombination, and correct resolution is vital for DNA repair and accurate chromosome segregation during meiosis. This process uses the same recombination machinery that operates on sister chromatids during meiosis and is conserved across species, highlighting its evolutionary importance.
The action of RuvC endonuclease is distinct from that of restriction enzymes which, as illustrated in reference materials, cleave DNA to produce either 'sticky ends' or 'blunt ends' that can be used in various molecular biology procedures.