MBB 222 Study Guide - Final Guide: Long Terminal Repeat, Transposable Element, Insertion Sequence

15 views3 pages

Document Summary

The 3rd general type of recombination system is the recombination that allows the movement of transposable elements/transposons. These are segments of dna that are found in virtually all cells that can move or jump" from one place on a chromosome (donor site) to another (target site) Transposons can be considered the simplest of molecular parasites as they are adapted to replicate passively within the chromosome of host cells. In some cases the transposons carry genes useful to the host and thus exist in a symbiosis relationship with the host. U7-09 load simple transposon (insertion sequence) vs. complex transposon. Simple transposons: these contain only the sequences required for transposition and the genes for the proteins (transposases) Complex transposons: contain one or more genes in addition to those that are required for transposition to occur. These extra genes could have functions like conferring resistance to antibiotics and thus enhance the chance of survival in the host cell.