Provide a one-sentence definition for horizontal gene transfer. What is the significance of
horizontal gene transfer for prokaryotic genetic diversity and classification? How is horizontal
gene transfer accomplished?
Solution
Answer:
(A) Horizontal gene tansfer: It is a process through which genetic material are transferred
between bacteria that are not parents and offspring.
(b) Through horizontal gene transfer, a substantial amount of genetic material can be inserted or
deleted from genomes of prokaryotic organisms. Insertion of new trait from one distant related
organism to other organism through horizontal gene transfer can lead to new pathogenic and
ecological character thus causing microbial diversification.
(c) Horizontal gene transfer is accomplished by three main mechanism:
Transformation:Genetic material of an individual cell is altered by the direct incorporation of
foreign (exogenous) DNA into its genome.
Transduction: This process involves transfer of DNA from one bacterium into another through
bacteriophages.
Conjugation: Conjugation required cell to cell contact or any sexual pilus for transfer of DNA..
Provide a one-sentence definition for horizontal gene transfer. What .pdf
1. Provide a one-sentence definition for horizontal gene transfer. What is the significance of
horizontal gene transfer for prokaryotic genetic diversity and classification? How is horizontal
gene transfer accomplished?
Solution
Answer:
(A) Horizontal gene tansfer: It is a process through which genetic material are transferred
between bacteria that are not parents and offspring.
(b) Through horizontal gene transfer, a substantial amount of genetic material can be inserted or
deleted from genomes of prokaryotic organisms. Insertion of new trait from one distant related
organism to other organism through horizontal gene transfer can lead to new pathogenic and
ecological character thus causing microbial diversification.
(c) Horizontal gene transfer is accomplished by three main mechanism:
Transformation:Genetic material of an individual cell is altered by the direct incorporation of
foreign (exogenous) DNA into its genome.
Transduction: This process involves transfer of DNA from one bacterium into another through
bacteriophages.
Conjugation: Conjugation required cell to cell contact or any sexual pilus for transfer of DNA.
