Transposable element

Pronunciation
/trans-po-za-ble el-e-ment/
Category
Genetics
Singular
Transposable element
Plural
Transposable elements

Definition

A genetic element that can move from one site to another in the genome.

Etymology

From Latin 'trans-', meaning 'across', and 'ponere', meaning 'to place'.

Example

Transposable elements are thought to play a role in the evolution of genomes.

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