a genetic element that can move from one site in a chromosome to another site in the same or a different chromosome and thus alter the genetic constitution of the organism
Word origin
C20: from transpos(e) + -on
transposon in American English
(trænsˈpoʊˌzɑn)
noun
a segment of DNA that moves to a new location in a chromosome, or to another chromosome or cell, and alters the existing genetic instructions, sometimes producing significant changes