One interesting observation about transposons is that they were likely more plentiful millions of years ago given that our DNA is full with mutated transposons.
I don’t think this follows. Transposons are parasitic; they’re detrimental to their host. If our ancestors millions of years ago had many more active transposons than we do now, they would not have survived to reproduce.
The mutated transposons are better explained by occasional lapses of control in the germline that accumulated gradually over time.
I don’t think this follows. Transposons are parasitic; they’re detrimental to their host. If our ancestors millions of years ago had many more active transposons than we do now, they would not have survived to reproduce.
The mutated transposons are better explained by occasional lapses of control in the germline that accumulated gradually over time.