Chapter 11.11, Problem 1CR

Summary Introduction

Transposable elements are known as stretches of DNA molecules and they can move from one place to another place. Transposable elements are inserted into the other DNA molecules (for example, chromosome, plasmid, or viral genome). They replicate along with the host DNA molecule because, they lack the origin of replication. The process of movement of the transposable elements is known as transposition. In bacteria, insertion sequences (IS) and transposons are two important types of transposable elements. Both insertion sequences (IS) and transposons contain genes encoding the transposase enzyme. IS and transposons carry short inverted terminal repeats at the ends of these elements. The transposase enzyme and terminal repeats are essential for transposition.