Organisms vary considerably in genome size. Which of the following explains most of this variation?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The primary factor contributing to the variation in genome size among different organisms is the difference in the number of mobile genetic elements. These elements, which include transposons and retrotransposons, can replicate within the genome and significantly increase its size. Unlike protein-coding genes, ribosomal RNA genes, and pseudogenes, the quantity of mobile genetic elements can vary greatly between species, leading to substantial differences in genome size.

Organisms Vary Considerably in Genome Size