Why do transposons jump?

A transposon is defined as a sequence of DNA (gene) that is able to insert itself or make a copy of itself at new locations in the same genome. These transposable elements are also known as jumping genes or insertion sequences or mobile DNA elements. These mobile DNA elements are present in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. The mechanism by which these mobile segments of DNA move from one place to another is called transposition.

Jumping of DNA fragments from one location to another occurs to induce mutations in the host genome. Transposition induces various changes in the genome like deletions, inversions. Sometimes, the transposable elements also induce a copy of their sequence at different location in the genome. Transposition takes place to create or reverse mutations in the genome, thus conferring several advantages to the organism. It may result in a stable acquiring of new genetic information. However, many times the effect of transposition is disastrous, mainly when transposition occurs in between the functional genes. Such transpositions result in the dysfunction or no functioning of the genes.