Question

Discuss the importance of homologous recombination and transposition in natural horizontal gene transfer and evolution. Be sure to DEFINE all of the terms you use and CONNECT them together logically in your answer.

Answer 1

• Homologous recombination - First lets understand the meaning of recombination. Recombination refers to the process of a DNA strand getting broken and recombined with parts of other broken strands to form new combinations of alleles. Now homologous recombination refers to the process of recombination between two similar strands of DNA.
• Transposition - This is the process by which certain genes can change their positions in a chromosome.
• Natural horizontal gene transfer - This refers to the various phenomena by which genetic material moves between unrelated organisms via all processes other than by vertical transfer from parents to offsprings.

Now let's discuss about the importance of homologous recombination and transposition in evolution and natural horizontal gene transfer. Needless to say, both homologous recombination and transposition are important types of horizontal gene transfer in majorly prokaryotes and some eukaryotes also. And as a result of gene transfers, genetic variation arises in a population. It is due the horizontal transfer of varied genetic information that evolution is fuelled. Especially, in prokaryotes, this holds a bigger significance because a large number of genes responsible for antibiotic resistance are transferred via natural horizontal gene transfers resulting in evolution of the bacterial population. Though less significant than prokaryotes, in eukaryotes too this holds a noteworthy role in evolution.