In normal eukaryotic development, segments of DNA can do the following:

1. Be deleted from the genome,

2. Move from one site to another within a genome, and

3. Duplicate themselves manyfold.

In addition, mobile genetic elements have been described in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. These segments of DNA can move from one chromosomal integration site to another, apparently unrelated to developmental processes. These processes represent a specialized form of recombination.

Three widely studied aspects of genome plasticity include the following:

1. Antibody variability in vertebrates

2. Gene transposition

3. Gene amplification.