Transposable elements can cause mutations primarily by:
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Correct answer: Inserting into functional genes
When a transposable element inserts within a gene's coding or regulatory sequence, it disrupts normal function, causing a mutation. This insertional mutagenesis is a primary mechanism by which TEs generate genetic diversity and can cause disease.
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More Transposable Genetic Elements questions
- Which feature is common to most transposable elements?
- In eukaryotes, transposable elements constitute:
- Which transposable elements are most abundant in the human genome?
- Transposable elements contribute to genome evolution by:
- Which type of transposon uses a cut-and-paste mechanism?
- The primary difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic transposable elements is that: