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Ch. 15 - Gene Mutation, DNA Repair, and Transposition
All textbooksKlug 12th EditionCh. 15 - Gene Mutation, DNA Repair, and TranspositionProblem 19
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Chapter 15, Problem 19

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

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

DNA Transposons

DNA transposons, also known as 'jumping genes,' are segments of DNA that can move from one location to another within the genome. They typically replicate through a 'cut and paste' mechanism, where the transposon is excised from its original position and inserted into a new site. This mobility can lead to genetic diversity and can influence gene expression and genome structure.
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Retrotransposons

Retrotransposons are a type of transposable element that replicate through an RNA intermediate. They are transcribed into RNA, which is then reverse-transcribed back into DNA and integrated into a new location in the genome. This process often involves the enzyme reverse transcriptase and can contribute to genomic evolution and variation.
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Shared Properties of Transposons

Both DNA transposons and retrotransposons are mobile genetic elements that can change their position within the genome, contributing to genetic variability. They can both influence gene expression and play roles in evolution and adaptation. Additionally, both types can lead to mutations and genomic rearrangements, impacting the organism's phenotype.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Describe how the Ames test screens for potential environmental mutagens. Why is it thought that a compound that tests positively in the Ames test may also be carcinogenic?
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It has been shown that infectious agents such as viruses often exert a dramatic effect on their host cell's genome architecture. In many cases, viruses induce methylation of host DNA sequences in order to enhance their infectivity. What specific host gene functions would you consider as strong candidates for such methylation by infecting viruses?
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What genetic defects result in the disorder xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) in humans? How do these defects create the phenotypes associated with the disorder?
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Speculate on how improved living conditions and medical care in the developed nations might affect human mutation rates, both neutral and deleterious.

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Textbook Question
In maize, a Ds or Ac transposon can alter the function of genes at or near the site of transposon insertion. It is possible for these elements to transpose away from their original insertion site, causing a reversion of the mutant phenotype. In some cases, however, even more severe phenotypes appear, due to events at or near the mutant allele. What might be happening to the transposon or the nearby gene to create more severe mutations?
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Textbook Question
It is estimated that about 0.2 percent of human mutations are due to TE insertions, and a much higher degree of mutational damage is known to occur in some other organisms. In what way might a TE insertion contribute positively to evolution?
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