selfish DNA

selfish DNA
term used for segments of eukaryotic DNA that are replicated with the rest of the chromosomal DNA but that have no apparent function; e.g., highly repetitive sequences or transposable elements. Called also junk DNA.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • Selfish DNA — refers to those sequences of DNA which, in their purest form, have two distinct properties: (1) the DNA sequence spreads by forming additional copies of itself within the genome; and (2) it makes no specific contribution to the reproductive… …   Wikipedia

  • Selfish (disambiguation) — Selfish refers to taking interest in oneself.Selfish may also refer to: *Selfish (song), a song by Asia Cruise song *Selfish DNA *Selfish Brain Theory *The Selfish Gene …   Wikipedia

  • selfish — adjective Date: 1640 1. concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself ; seeking or concentrating on one s own advantage, pleasure, or well being without regard for others 2. arising from concern with one s own welfare or advantage in… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • selfish — self·ish sel fish adj being an actively replicating repetitive sequence of nucleic acid that serves no known function <selfish DNA> also being genetic material solely concerned with its own replication <selfish genes> …   Medical dictionary

  • parasitic DNA — selfish DNA …   Medical dictionary

  • Noncoding DNA — In genetics, noncoding DNA describes components of an organism s DNA sequences that do not encode for protein sequences. In many eukaryotes, a large percentage of an organism s total genome size is noncoding DNA, although the amount of noncoding… …   Wikipedia

  • Junk DNA — In molecular biology, junk DNA is a provisional label for the portions of the DNA sequence of a chromosome or a genome for which no function has been identified. Scientists expect to find functions for some, but not all,Fact|date=September 2008… …   Wikipedia

  • Junk DNA — Regions of the DNA that have no apparent function. The term junk DNA is a disparaging one, expressing some of the disappointment felt by geneticists when they first gazed upon sizable segments of the genetic code and, instead of seeing one… …   Medical dictionary

  • The Selfish Gene — Infobox Book name = The Selfish Gene title orig = translator = image caption = Original cover from the painting The Expectant Valley by zoologist Desmond Morris author = Richard Dawkins illustrator = cover artist = country = language = series =… …   Wikipedia

  • Evolutionary history of life — Although evidence of early life is scarce and often difficult to interpret, it appears that life appeared on Earth relatively soon (on the geologic time scale) after the planet had cooled enough for liquid water to be present. The dominant theory …   Wikipedia

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