Question

Which of the following is untrue about Lateral gene transfer?

(a) It is also known as vertical gene transfer

(b) There is exchange of genetic materials between species

(c) It mainly occurs among prokaryotic organisms when foreign genes are acquired through mechanisms

(d) It is one of the examples is transformation

I got this question during a job interview.

My question is taken from Comparative Genomics in chapter Genome Mapping, Assembly and Comparison of Bioinformatics

Answer 1

Right answer is (a) It is also known as vertical gene transfer

For explanation: It is defined as the exchange of genetic materials between species in a way that is incongruent with commonly accepted vertical evolutionary pathway. Examples are transformation (direct uptake of foreign DNA from environment), conjugation (gene uptake through mating behavior), and transduction (gene uptake mediated by infecting viruses). The transmission of genes between organisms can occur relatively recently or as a more ancient event.