Movement of genes between unrelated organisms, important in bacterial evolution.
Mechanisms: transformation, transduction and conjugation. It is the main route of spread of antibiotic resistance and virulence genes. It also moved genes between domains, such as endosymbiotic gene transfer, and challenges tree-like views of microbe evolution.
Movement of genes between unrelated organisms, important in bacterial evolution.
Horizontal Gene Transfer is one of the 53 topics in Evolution. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include Antibiotic Resistance Evolution, Convergent Evolution, Cambrian Explosion.
Genes for photosynthesis in some sea slugs may have come from algae.
Work through the Beginner topics in Evolution first, such as Evolution, Natural Selection, Charles Darwin, then return to Horizontal Gene Transfer. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
The closest topics to Horizontal Gene Transfer are Antibiotic Resistance Evolution, Convergent Evolution, Cambrian Explosion, Kin Selection. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Horizontal Gene Transfer. To practise the whole of Evolution, use the Evolution quiz.
Horizontal Gene Transfer: Movement of genes between unrelated organisms, important in bacterial evolution. Antibiotic Resistance Evolution: Bacteria with resistance genes survive antibiotic use and multiply, making resistance more common. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Antibiotic Resistance Evolution and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Evolution quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
Bacteria with resistance genes survive antibiotic use and multiply, making resistance more common.
🦎 EvolutionUnrelated lineages evolve similar traits because they face similar selective pressures.
🦎 EvolutionA rapid diversification of animal body plans about 540 million years ago.
🦎 EvolutionNatural selection favouring behaviours that help relatives, explained by Hamilton's rule rb greater than c.
🦎 Evolution