Final answer:
Non-homologous end-joining is a DNA repair process that joins broken DNA ends but may result in deletions or translocations. It does not contribute to recovering lost nucleotides on a damaged DNA strand.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question involves non-homologous end-joining, a DNA repair mechanism. Non-homologous end-joining is crucial for repairing double-stranded breaks in DNA, which can occur due to errors in DNA replication or from environmental damage like ionizing radiation. This process may lead to the deletion of damaged and adjacent DNA and the rejoining of the ends. However, it does so in a way that is not error-free and can result in the loss of nucleotides, potentially interrupting gene expression or causing translocations of DNA fragments to a different chromosome. Importantly, non-homologous end-joining does not contribute to the recovery of lost nucleotides on a damaged DNA strand, which can occur through other repair pathways such as homologous recombination.