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

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

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.

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).