Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

The Evidence for Evolution02:55

The Evidence for Evolution

48.3K
Genetic variations accumulating within populations over generations give rise to biological evolution. Evolutionary changes can result in the formation of novel varieties and entire new species. These changes are responsible for the diverse forms of life inhabiting the planet. The evidence for evolution suggests that all living organisms descended from common ancestors.
48.3K
Convergent Evolution01:54

Convergent Evolution

33.0K
Evolution shapes the features of organisms over time, ensuring that they are suited for the environments in which they live. Sometimes, selection pressure leads to the rise of similar but unrelated adaptations in organisms with no recent common ancestors, a process known as convergent evolution.
33.0K
Elements and Compounds01:27

Elements and Compounds

105.1K
Pure substances consist of only one type of matter. A pure substance can be an element or a compound. An element consists of only one type of atom, while a compound consists of two or more types of atoms held together by a chemical bond.
Elements
Elements are classified as atomic or molecular based on the nature of their basic units. They are unique forms of matter with specific chemical and physical properties that cannot break down into smaller substances by ordinary chemical reactions. There...
105.1K
Periodic Classification of the Elements04:00

Periodic Classification of the Elements

59.3K
The periodic table arranges atoms based on increasing atomic number so that elements with the same chemical properties recur periodically. When their electron configurations are added to the table, a periodic recurrence of similar electron configurations in the outer shells of these elements is observed. Because they are in the outer shells of an atom, valence electrons play the most important role in chemical reactions. The outer electrons have the highest energy of the electrons in an atom...
59.3K
Classification of Elements and Compounds02:54

Classification of Elements and Compounds

73.3K
Pure substances consist of only one type of matter. A pure substance can be an element or a compound. An element consists of only one type of atom, while a compound consists of two or more types of atoms held together by a chemical bond. Elements are classified as atomic or molecular based on the nature of their basic units.
Compounds are pure substances composed of two or more elements in fixed, definite proportions. Compounds are classified as ionic or molecular (covalent) based on the bonds...
73.3K
Key Elements for Plant Nutrition02:35

Key Elements for Plant Nutrition

24.3K
Like all living organisms, plants require organic and inorganic nutrients to survive, reproduce, grow and maintain homeostasis. To identify nutrients that are essential for plant functioning, researchers have leveraged a technique called hydroponics. In hydroponic culture systems, plants are grown—without soil—in water-based solutions containing nutrients. At least 17 nutrients have been identified as essential elements required by plants. Plants acquire these elements from the...
24.3K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Queen loss fails to elicit physiological and transcriptional responses in workers of the invasive garden ant Lasius neglectus.

Journal of evolutionary biology·2026
Same author

Adaptive evolution of odorant receptors is associated with elaborations of social organization in ants.

Molecular biology and evolution·2026
Same author

High-throughput phenomics of global ant biodiversity.

Nature methods·2026
Same author

HSP90 as an evolutionary capacitor drives adaptive eye size reduction via atonal.

Nature communications·2025
Same author

EBV induces CNS homing of B cells attracting inflammatory T cells.

Nature·2025
Same author

Unearthing the secrets of Australia's most enigmatic and cryptic mammal, the marsupial mole.

Science advances·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 7, 2026

Procedure for Adaptive Laboratory Evolution of Microorganisms Using a Chemostat
06:03

Procedure for Adaptive Laboratory Evolution of Microorganisms Using a Chemostat

Published on: September 20, 2016

15.2K

The impact of transposable elements in adaptive evolution.

Lukas Schrader1, Jürgen Schmitz2

  • 1Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity (IEB), University of Münster, Münster, Germany.

Molecular Ecology
|July 14, 2018
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Transposable elements (TEs) drive adaptive evolution by creating genetic variation. Host defense mechanisms against TEs can be temporarily disabled, aiding adaptation to environmental stress, especially in rapidly evolving species.

Keywords:
HSP90exaptationgenomic plasticitymolecular domesticationretrogene formationstress-induced TE activity

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Understanding Microbe Adaptation Using Innovative Techniques for Exploring Thermophilic Evolution
08:11

Author Spotlight: Understanding Microbe Adaptation Using Innovative Techniques for Exploring Thermophilic Evolution

Published on: June 14, 2024

1.4K
Automated Microbial Cultivation and Adaptive Evolution using Microbial Microdroplet Culture System MMC
08:18

Automated Microbial Cultivation and Adaptive Evolution using Microbial Microdroplet Culture System MMC

Published on: February 18, 2022

4.6K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 7, 2026

Procedure for Adaptive Laboratory Evolution of Microorganisms Using a Chemostat
06:03

Procedure for Adaptive Laboratory Evolution of Microorganisms Using a Chemostat

Published on: September 20, 2016

15.2K
Author Spotlight: Understanding Microbe Adaptation Using Innovative Techniques for Exploring Thermophilic Evolution
08:11

Author Spotlight: Understanding Microbe Adaptation Using Innovative Techniques for Exploring Thermophilic Evolution

Published on: June 14, 2024

1.4K
Automated Microbial Cultivation and Adaptive Evolution using Microbial Microdroplet Culture System MMC
08:18

Automated Microbial Cultivation and Adaptive Evolution using Microbial Microdroplet Culture System MMC

Published on: February 18, 2022

4.6K

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Genomics
  • Molecular evolution

Background:

  • Transposable elements (TEs) significantly influence genome evolution, population variation, and somatic genetic differences.
  • TEs can cause substantial molecular variation with fitness and phenotypic consequences.
  • Host organisms have evolved mechanisms to control TE activity, creating a dynamic host-TE-environment interplay.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review evidence for adaptive phenotypic changes driven by TEs.
  • To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying TE-mediated genetic changes.
  • To discuss the role of TE defense incapacitation in adaptation to environmental challenges.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on transposable elements and adaptive evolution.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms including domestication, exaptation, gene regulation, and retrogene formation.
  • Discussion of stress-dependent TE defense and its relevance to species in novel environments.

Main Results:

  • TEs contribute to adaptive evolution through mechanisms like domestication, exaptation, and altered gene regulation.
  • TEs can increase genome plasticity and lead to the formation of new genes (retrogenes).
  • Incapacitation of TE defenses under stress can facilitate adaptation, particularly in species like invasives or pathogens.

Conclusions:

  • Transposable elements are key drivers of adaptive evolution, offering genetic variation and plasticity.
  • The interplay between TE activity, host defenses, and environmental stress is crucial for adaptation.
  • Understanding TE dynamics is vital for studying species facing rapid environmental changes.