Final answer:
To fix a broken sequence in DNA sequencing, methods like primer walking and PCR can be used to fill in sequence gaps left after shotgun sequencing. This is important as sequence conservation often contributes to macromolecule function and can be determined using bioinformatics tools.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fixing a broken sequence often refers to the process of filling gaps after shotgun sequencing in DNA sequencing. Methods such as primer walking and PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) can be used. In primer walking, a sequencing primer is created based on a known sequence near the gap and is used to sequence into the gap region. For PCR, two oligonucleotides are synthesized from the sequence information flanking the gap, and then PCR is employed to synthesize the absent fragment, which can be sequenced to fill in the gap.
Sequence conservation is critical for the function of macromolecules as conserved regions often play crucial roles in structure and function. This conservation can be determined using various bioinformatics tools that compare the sequences from different species to identify conserved regions.