selfish DNA

junk DNA

that portion of DNA that is not transcribed and expressed, comprising a major fraction of the base pairs of the human genome; much of this DNA is repetitive in seuqence and appears to serve no purpose; its function is not known. segments of DNA that appear to serve no function and are replicated along with the rest of the DNA that serves vital functions; examples are pseudogenes and tandemly repeated DNA sequences that seem functionless but are retained by unequal crossing-over.

Synonym(s): selfish DNA

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

Parasitic sequences of DNA that increase in the population—usually to the detriment of the host organism—by inserting extra copies of themselves into the genome

Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.

junk DNA

(jŭngk)

The portion of DNA that is not transcribed and expressed, comprising about 90% of the 3 billion base pairs of the human genome; its function is not known.
Synonym(s): selfish DNA.

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

selfish DNA

DNA with no apparent function other than to ensure its own maintenance and replication, using its host to do so. The DNA integrates into a host REPLICON, in order to be replicated and passed on to future GENERATIONS (2).

Collins Dictionary of Biology, 3rd ed. © W. G. Hale, V. A. Saunders, J. P. Margham 2005