Intron

In genetics, an intron is a section of DNA within a gene that does not encode part of the protein that the gene produces, and is spliced out of the mRNA that is transcribed from the gene before it is exported from the cell nucleus. Introns only exist in eukaryotic cells.

Introns sometimes allow for alternative splicing of a gene, so that several different proteins that share some sections in common can be produced from a single gene. The control of mRNA splicing, and hence of which alternative is produced, is performed by a wide variety of signal molecules.

Introns also sometimes contain "old code," sections of a gene that were probably once translated into protein but which are now discarded. This is cited as a piece of evidence in support of evolution.