Final answer:
Pseudogenes are nonfunctional DNA sequences that resemble known genes. They are a part of the noncoding regions of the genome, which also include other significant elements valuable for cellular functions and regulation, though pseudogenes themselves don't encode proteins.
Step-by-step explanation:
DNA sequences that resemble known genes but are nonfunctional are called Pseudogenes. Pseudogenes can arise from a variety of mechanisms including the duplication of a functional gene followed by a disabling mutation. They are part of the noncoding DNA in a genome that does not encode proteins, which also includes introns, retroposons, and sequences involved in regulating gene expression and maintaining chromosomal structure. It's important to note that this noncoding DNA, once thought to be "junk DNA," is increasingly being understood to have roles in the cell, despite the non-functionality of pseudogenes themselves.