Final answer:
Staggered cuts by restriction enzymes create 'sticky ends' which facilitate the ligation of DNA fragments in molecular cloning and genetic engineering.
Step-by-step explanation:
Staggered cuts in the context of restriction enzymes (REs) refer to the way these enzymes cut DNA molecules. Restriction enzymes are proteins that recognize specific sequences of nucleotides in DNA and cleave the DNA at or near these sequences. When REs make a staggered cut, they create overhangs known as ‘sticky ends’ as opposed to ‘blunt ends’ that result from a straight cut through both DNA strands. These sticky ends can be used to join DNA fragments together in a process known as ligation, which is a fundamental step in molecular cloning and genetic engineering.