Genetically, there are few plants as hyperactive as corn.
Corn's genomeAll the genetic material in the chromosomes of an organism, whether animal, plant, or microbe is made up of antsy genes called transposonsA discrete piece of DNA that is capable of moving itself to different spots on the genome. When it relocates, a transposon can cause mutations and size changes in a genome., or "jumping genes."
These genes jump from one place to another inside the genome, and depending on where they land, they can cause
visible mutations.
The famous "Indian corn", with its beautiful patterns of red and yellow stripes and spots, is a perfect example of visible mutations caused by "jumping genes".
Genome scientists at the University of Illinois conduct "mutantAn individual, organism, or new genetic character that arises from a structural change within the DNA of a gene or chromosome hunts" every summer to find interesting mutations to study. Sarah Hake's students at University of California-Berkeley zap plants with radiation to create mutations.
Then, by using gene sequence data uploaded onto the Internet, these scientists find out where, in the genome, their mutant genes are located. If they're lucky, scientists also find out what those genes do.
