THE EVOLUTIONARY DYNAMICS OF REPETITIVE DNA IN EUKARYOTES

Repetitive DNA sequences form a large portion of the genomes of eukary otes. The 'selfish DNA' hypothesis proposes that they are maintained b y their ability to replicate within the genome. The behaviour of repet itive sequences can result in mutations that cause genetic diseases, a nd confer significant fitness losses on the organism. Features of the organization of repetitive sequences in eukaryotic genomes, and their distribution in natural populations, reflect the evolutionary forces a cting on selfish DNA.