
Hypervariable region
A hypervariable region refers to specific segments of DNA or proteins that exhibit a high level of variation among individuals within a species. These regions are often found in immune system molecules, like antibodies, where diversity is crucial for recognizing a wide range of pathogens. The high variability allows the immune system to adapt and respond effectively to different infections. Because they change significantly, hypervariable regions can also be useful in genetic studies, forensics, and understanding evolutionary relationships among species.