Final answer:
Spo11 initiates homologous recombination by creating DNA breaks during meiosis for DNA repair, while Cas9, part of CRISPR technology, cleaves DNA for gene editing. The correct contrast is A) DNA Repair vs. DNA Cleavage.
Step-by-step explanation:
The functions of Spo11 and Cas9 involve different mechanisms in the cell relating to DNA processes. Spo11 is a protein that plays a critical role during meiosis, where it initiates homologous recombination by creating double-stranded breaks in DNA. This is a crucial step for the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes, which increases genetic diversity. After Spo11 creates the breaks, the cell employs various DNA repair mechanisms to fix them, ensuring proper chromosome segregation during meiosis.
On the other hand, Cas9 is an enzyme used in the CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) technology for DNA cleavage. Cas9 can be programmed to target specific sequences in the genome, where it creates a double-stranded break. This technology has been widely adopted for gene editing purposes because it allows for precise modifications to the DNA sequence.
The correct contrast between the functions of Spo11 and Cas9 is A) DNA Repair vs. DNA Cleavage. Spo11 is involved in the natural process of DNA repair during meiosis, whereas Cas9 is utilized by scientists for targeted DNA cleavage in the context of CRISPR-based gene editing.