ScienceThe ‘jumping genes’ that make up half our genome
Quanta Magazine explores how transposons—DNA snippets that can move and copy themselves—became partners in evolution, with roles beyond being genetic junk.
TLDR
Quanta Magazine says half our genome consists of transposons, or “jumping genes,” and describes them as more than parasites or genetic junk. The magazine connects their story to the puzzle of purple and yellow kernels on a single corn cob, whose explanation challenged our understanding of how the genome works.
The ‘jumping genes’ that make up half our genome
Quanta Magazine explores how transposons—DNA snippets that can move and copy themselves—became partners in evolution, with roles beyond being genetic junk.
TLDR
Quanta Magazine says half our genome consists of transposons, or “jumping genes,” and describes them as more than parasites or genetic junk. The magazine connects their story to the puzzle of purple and yellow kernels on a single corn cob, whose explanation challenged our understanding of how the genome works.
