Question

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Transposons

Define a transposon:

What is transposition?

Read the close-up box on page 218, 10^th ed. Name the geneticist that discovered transposons? _________________________

Two major classes of mutations and describe each.

2 Major Type of mutations	Description
a)
b)

7. What is gene transfer and what is its significance to evolution?

What are the two types of gene transfer and provide an example for each?

a)

b)

8. Discuss the three mechanisms of lateral gene transfer in bacteria:

Name of lateral gene transfer	Discovered by:	Requirements
a)
b)
c)

9. Plasmids.

a) What are plasmids?

b) What is the difference between a plasmid and a chromosome (in terms of the bacteria’s survival needs)?

List at least 5 types of plasmids and their recognizable functions in bacteria.

Name of plasmid	Function
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

Answer 1

1. A  transposon is a sequence of DNA that can change its position within the genome. These were called jumping genes due to their ability to jump from one location to another.

2. This process of transfer of DNA element from one position to another is called transposition. In this, the sequence is either cut off from the region and then go the other region or it may be copied from hat region and then paste to some other region.

3. Transposons were first discovered by Barbara McClintock in the maize plant. She called then the Ac Dc elements.