Here's a breakdown:
* Endonucleases: These are enzymes that cleave phosphodiester bonds within a polynucleotide chain (like DNA or RNA). They work "inside" the molecule, unlike exonucleases which work at the ends.
* Restriction Enzymes: These are a specific type of endonuclease that recognize and cut DNA at specific sequences known as restriction sites.
Therefore, since restriction enzymes are a specialized group of endonucleases that cleave DNA internally, they are correctly referred to as endonucleases.
