Final answer:
Type II restriction enzymes recognize palindromic DNA sequences, which are identical when read in the 5' to 3' direction on both strands of the DNA helix, a feature that is critical for creating sticky ends during recombinant DNA technology.
Step-by-step explanation:
The feature commonly seen in the sequences recognized by type II restriction enzymes is that they are palindromic, meaning the sequence of nucleotides reads the same in the 5' to 3' direction on one strand as it does on the complementary strand in the opposite direction. For example, the recognition sequence for the enzyme EcoRI is 5'GAATTC3' on one strand and 3'CTTAAG5' on the opposite strand, creating sticky ends after the cut. Type II restriction enzymes are known for their high specificity, only cleaving DNA at these specific palindromic sequences, and this feature is crucial in the process of recombinant DNA technology, where these enzymes are used to splice genes of interest into plasmids.