A scientist has identified a repetitive sequence of DNA from a mammalian species that appears to move around its genome. If this sequence were found to have nucleotide similarities to viruses, it is likely to be a
A) transposon.
B) retrovirus.
C) retrotransposon.
D) satellite virus.
E) replicon.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Retrotransposons are DNA sequences that can change their position within the genome and have similarities to retroviruses in their mechanism of transposition, which involves an RNA intermediate. This is why when a repetitive DNA sequence in a mammalian genome shows mobility and has nucleotide similarities to viruses, it is likely to be classified as a retrotransposon.

A Scientist Has Identified a Repetitive Sequence of DNA from a Mammalian