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Related Concept Videos

Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms02:18

Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms

Genetic transfer occurs when genetic information is passed from one organism to another. It occurs via two mechanisms: vertical gene transfer and horizontal gene transfer. Vertical gene transfer occurs when genetic information is transferred from one generation to the next, which happens much more frequently than horizontal gene transfer. Both sexual and asexual reproduction are forms of vertical gene transfer, where one or more organisms pass some or all of their genome onto their progeny.
Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms02:18

Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms

Genetic transfer occurs when genetic information is passed from one organism to another. It occurs via two mechanisms: vertical gene transfer and horizontal gene transfer. Vertical gene transfer occurs when genetic information is transferred from one generation to the next, which happens much more frequently than horizontal gene transfer. Both sexual and asexual reproduction are forms of vertical gene transfer, where one or more organisms pass some or all of their genome onto their progeny.
Horizontal Gene Transfer01:27

Horizontal Gene Transfer

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a process where genetic material moves between organisms within the same generation, unlike vertical gene transfer, which occurs from parent to offspring. HGT plays a crucial role in microbial evolution, adaptation, and survival, particularly in shared environments like the human gut.Mobile genetic elements such as plasmids, prophages, integrons, insertion sequences, and transposons facilitate this process. HGT occurs through three primary mechanisms:...
Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes03:21

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

While every living organism has a genome of some kind (be it RNA, or DNA), there is considerable variation in the sizes of these blueprints. One major factor that impacts genome size is whether the organism is prokaryotic or eukaryotic. In prokaryotes, the genome contains little to no non-coding sequence, such that genes are tightly clustered in groups or operons sequentially along the chromosome. Conversely, the genes in eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of non-coding sequence.
Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes03:21

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

While every living organism has a genome of some kind (be it RNA, or DNA), there is considerable variation in the sizes of these blueprints. One major factor that impacts genome size is whether the organism is prokaryotic or eukaryotic. In prokaryotes, the genome contains little to no non-coding sequence, such that genes are tightly clustered in groups or operons sequentially along the chromosome. Conversely, the genes in eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of non-coding sequence.
Export of Mitochondrial and Chloroplast Genes02:19

Export of Mitochondrial and Chloroplast Genes

A eukaryotic cell can have up to three different types of genetic systems: nuclear, mitochondrial, and chloroplast. During evolution, organelles have exported many genes to the nucleus; this transfer is still ongoing in some plant species. Approximately 18% of the Arabidopsis thaliana nuclear genome is thought to be derived from the chloroplast’s cyanobacterial ancestor, and around 75% of the yeast genome derived from the mitochondria’s bacterial ancestor. This export has occurred irrespective...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Using Phylogenetic Analysis to Investigate Eukaryotic Gene Origin
08:57

Using Phylogenetic Analysis to Investigate Eukaryotic Gene Origin

Published on: August 14, 2018

Horizontal gene transfer in eukaryotic evolution.

Patrick J Keeling1, Jeffrey D Palmer

  • 1Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z, Canada. pkeeling@interchange.ubc.ca

Nature Reviews. Genetics
|July 2, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) significantly impacts eukaryotic evolution, with increasing evidence of gene movement from prokaryotes and eukaryotes. This process plays a key role in adaptation to specialized environments.

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Last Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Using Phylogenetic Analysis to Investigate Eukaryotic Gene Origin
08:57

Using Phylogenetic Analysis to Investigate Eukaryotic Gene Origin

Published on: August 14, 2018

Detection of Horizontal Gene Transfer Mediated by Natural Conjugative Plasmids in E. coli
06:56

Detection of Horizontal Gene Transfer Mediated by Natural Conjugative Plasmids in E. coli

Published on: March 24, 2023

Methodology for the Study of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Staphylococcus aureus
10:39

Methodology for the Study of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Staphylococcus aureus

Published on: March 10, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Genomics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is crucial for eukaryotic genome evolution.
  • HGT's role is often underestimated compared to prokaryotes due to complexity and sampling limitations.
  • Endosymbiosis and limited gene sampling complicate HGT research in eukaryotes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the expanding evidence and significance of HGT in eukaryotes.
  • To discuss recent trends and implications of HGT in eukaryotic genome evolution.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on HGT in eukaryotes.
  • Analysis of well-supported cases of gene transfer.
  • Identification of trends in HGT impact across lineages.

Main Results:

  • The number of documented HGT cases in eukaryotes is rapidly increasing.
  • HGT from both prokaryotes and eukaryotes has been identified with significant functional consequences.
  • HGT is vital for adaptation to specialized ecological niches.

Conclusions:

  • HGT is a major evolutionary force in eukaryotes, not just prokaryotes.
  • The impact of HGT varies significantly across different eukaryotic lineages.
  • Further research is needed to fully understand the scope and mechanisms of eukaryotic HGT.