A pseudogene is
A) a form of hemoglobin that is expressed in fetuses.
B) similar to hemoglobin but is found in muscle cells.
C) a gene found in the densely packed, transcriptionally inactive part of the genome.
D) a copy of a gene that encodes a nonfunctional protein.
E) a transposable element.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A pseudogene is a copy of a gene that has accumulated mutations over time, rendering it nonfunctional or unable to produce a protein with the same function as the original gene. It may have originated from a gene duplication event and then lost its functionality due to mutations. Pseudogenes are found in many genomes, including the human genome, as a result of the accumulation of mutations over millions of years of evolution.

A Pseudogene Is