Which process involves the recognition of a series of damaged bases for repair?

The correct answer is Base Excision Repair. This process is specifically designed to identify and repair damaged bases in DNA, which can occur due to various factors such as oxidation, deamination, and the presence of alkylating agents.

In Base Excision Repair, a DNA glycosylase enzyme recognizes and removes the damaged base, creating an abasic site. Following this, an endonuclease cleaves the DNA backbone, allowing DNA polymerase to fill in the gap by inserting the correct nucleotide, and DNA ligase seals the final break. This pathway is essential for maintaining the integrity of genetic material and preventing mutations that could lead to cancer or other genetic disorders.

Mismatch Repair focuses on fixing incorrectly paired nucleotides that arise during DNA replication, rather than directly addressing damaged bases. Nucleotide Excision Repair is involved in the elimination of bulky DNA lesions, such as those caused by ultraviolet radiation, where it removes a short segment of DNA containing the lesion. Gene Recombination pertains to the rearrangement of genetic material and does not directly involve the repair of damaged bases.

By understanding these distinct roles, it becomes clear that Base Excision Repair is the process specifically responsible for recognizing and repairing a series of damaged bases in DNA.