Chapter 14: Problem 18

Compare DNA transposons and retrotransposons. What properties do they share?

Short Answer

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Answer: DNA transposons and retrotransposons share the following properties: 1. Both are mobile genetic elements and can change their position within the genome. 2. Both have the potential to impact genome structure, gene function, and gene expression when they insert into or near other genes. 3. Both types of transposons can be significant drivers of genomic evolution, as their movement can cause mutations, recombination events, and alterations in gene expression. 4. Both DNA transposons and retrotransposons can be found in the genomes of a wide range of organisms, from bacteria to plants, animals, and humans.

Step by step solution

Define DNA transposons

DNA transposons are genetic elements found in the DNA of organisms that have the ability to "jump" or change positions within the genome. They typically consist of a gene coding for a transposase enzyme, flanked by inverted repeat sequences; the transposase recognizes these sequences and facilitates the movement of the transposon.

Define retrotransposons

Retrotransposons are genetic elements that function similarly to DNA transposons, moving from one location in the genome to another. However, they do so through an RNA intermediate. Retrotransposons contain a gene encoding a reverse transcriptase enzyme, which converts their RNA back into DNA, which is then integrated into a new genomic location.

Compare mechanisms

The primary difference between DNA transposons and retrotransposons is their mode of replication and movement within the genome. DNA transposons use a "cut-and-paste" mechanism, where their DNA sequence is physically removed by the transposase enzyme, and later reinserted in another genomic location. Retrotransposons, on the other hand, use a "copy-and-paste" mechanism, in which their DNA is first transcribed into RNA, reverse-transcribed back into DNA by reverse transcriptase, and then integrated into a new genomic location. The original retrotransposon sequence remains in its original position.

Shared properties

Despite their differences in the replication mechanism, DNA transposons and retrotransposons share the following properties: 1. Both are mobile genetic elements and can change their position within the genome. 2. Both have the potential to impact genome structure, gene function, and gene expression when they insert into or near other genes. 3. Both types of transposons can be significant drivers of genomic evolution, as their movement can cause mutations, recombination events, and alterations in gene expression. 4. Both DNA transposons and retrotransposons can be found in the genomes of a wide range of organisms, from bacteria to plants, animals, and humans.

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Compare DNA transposons and retrotransposons. What properties do they share?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Define DNA transposons

Define retrotransposons

Compare mechanisms

Shared properties

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