Cut and Paste Transposons

Cut-and-paste transposons are DNA sequences, often called "jumping genes," that can move from one location in the genome to another. They operate like molecular scissors and glue: the transposon is cut out from its original spot and then inserted elsewhere in the DNA. This process is facilitated by special enzymes called transposases. Such movement can create genetic diversity, disrupt gene function, or drive evolution. Essentially, cut-and-paste transposons are natural genetic elements that can reposition themselves within the genome, influencing how genes are expressed and how genomes evolve over time.