Sections of single-stranded
DNA which have sequences that are
palindromes, or which read the same both backwards and forwards, that may
base pair with each other instead of with the correct sections of the other strand during renaturation into double-stranded DNA. This can lead to
genetic errors and
mutations.
From the BioTech Dictionary at http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/. For further information see the BioTech homenode.