Final answer:
The nucleotide sequence ACGT would pair with a complementary DNA fragment with the sticky end sequence TGCA. This is due to the specific base pairing rules in DNA, where A pairs with T, and C with G.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nucleotide sequence of ACGT will form a pair with a DNA restriction fragment with the sticky end of the nucleotides TGCA.
Each nucleotide in the sequence pairs with its complement: Adenine (A) pairs with Thymine (T), and Cytosine (C) with Guanine (G). Given the sequence ACGT and the knowledge that DNA strands are antiparallel, the complementary strand that would form sticky ends with ACGT in a 5'-3' direction is TGCA. When restriction enzymes like EcoRI or BamHI cut DNA, they often leave overhangs known as sticky ends. These sticky ends can base pair with complementary sticky ends of other DNA fragments. The process in which these complementary strands anneal is facilitated by the hydrogen bonding between nucleotides. Sticky ends are useful in biotechnology applications such as recombinant DNA technology, where DNA fragments from different sources can be joined to form rDNA. This joining is made permanent by the enzyme DNA ligase, which seals the nicks in the sugar-phosphate backbone of the DNA.