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by k_lander 3129 days ago
Question: with latent virus code removed, does the cell use less energy to replicate or is able to replicate faster?
1 comments

In theory it should, and substantially, since DNA replication is a highly energy dependent process. In practice we can’t just nilly-willy remove genetic material from our chromosomes, even if it ostensibly has no useful function. That said, scientists have attempted long-range deletions in mouse and some of those show no phenotype (within the highly limited study!). But as far as I know they didn’t look at energy expenditure.