1 What are transposons?
Transposons are the mobile segments of DNA which can jump or transpose from one place to another within the genome of a single cell. At least 50 % of the human genome consists of these transpososns. Transposons cannot exist independently as they do not have an origin of replication.
2. What is transposition?
Transposition or the process of jumping is carried with the help of an enzyme known as transposase. This enzyme helps to make two single-stranded breaks in the target DNA.
The mechanism of transposition can lead to phenotypically significant mutations.
Example 1 - Mice having almost identical DNA can exhibit a variation in their fur color.
Reason behind this could be that the gene coding for the fur color has been altered by the insertion of a transposon.
Example 2: Corn grains come in different colors (yellow, white or purple).
The aleurone layer of the corn grains is responsible for pigmentation. Depending upon the position of transposons some cells express pigmentation and some do not. This leads to the phenotypic variation within the corn grains.
Transposons are the mobile segments of DNA which can jump or transpose from one place to another within the genome of a single cell. At least 50 % of the human genome consists of these transpososns. Transposons cannot exist independently as they do not have an origin of replication.
2. What is transposition?
Transposition or the process of jumping is carried with the help of an enzyme known as transposase. This enzyme helps to make two single-stranded breaks in the target DNA.
The mechanism of transposition can lead to phenotypically significant mutations.
Example 1 - Mice having almost identical DNA can exhibit a variation in their fur color.
Reason behind this could be that the gene coding for the fur color has been altered by the insertion of a transposon.
Example 2: Corn grains come in different colors (yellow, white or purple).
The aleurone layer of the corn grains is responsible for pigmentation. Depending upon the position of transposons some cells express pigmentation and some do not. This leads to the phenotypic variation within the corn grains.