Final answer:
Transposons are an example of mobile genetic elements that can cause exon transposition, moving sequences within the genome to create genetic diversity. They are distinct from plasmids, viruses, and bacteria, and can also facilitate the spread of antibiotic resistance in bacterial populations.
Step-by-step explanation:
An example of exon transposition by mobile genetic elements is transposons. Transposons are sequences of DNA that can move around to different parts of the genome, sometimes including exons, the protein-coding regions of genes. This movement, known as transposition, can have a significant impact on the genetic diversity and evolution of an organism. For instance, when a transposon carries an exon from one gene and inserts it into another, this can potentially create novel gene combinations leading to different phenotypic expressions.
Transposons were first discovered in maize by Barbara McClintock, and they are found across various organisms from bacteria to eukaryotes. Not all transposons are the same; some operate via a nonreplicative 'cut-and-paste' mechanism, while others use a replicative 'copy-and-paste' process. They differ from other mobile genetic elements like plasmids, viruses, and bacteria in that they are DNA sequences within the host genome that can independently move around.
In bacteria, transposons may carry additional genes such as antibiotic resistance genes and facilitate their movement from chromosomes to plasmids, contributing to the spread of antibiotic resistance. This relocation of genes can occur through various processes such as transformation, transduction, and conjugation.