Chapter 23.3, Problem 1R

Summary Introduction

To review:

The potential advantages of lateral gene transfer to the organisms who gains gene through this mechanism.

Introduction:

Generally, an organism acquires its genes by vertical transmission, that is, transfer of their genetical information is from parents to offspring. Most phylogenic trees assume to have a vertical transmission. However, there is another process, by which genetic information can be transferred. This phenomenon is mostly observed in bacteria and is called as lateral gene transfer.

Lateral gene transfer not only allows the genetic information to flow horizontally through the lineages but also across organelles. Lateral gene transfer can happen directly by up taking genes from the environment or by incorporating of a viral genome to a new host genome.