Discuss the importance of homologous recombination and transposition in natural horizontal gene ...

 Natural horizontal gene transfer is the movement of genes between cells that are not direct descendants of each other. Three mechanisms (transduction, transformation, and conjugation) can transfer genetic material between cells. Once the genetic material is in a cell, it is not necessarily passed down to daughter cells unless it can replicate on its own or is integrated into the genome. Homologous recombination combines similar DNA molecules from two different sources, thus homologous recombination aids in the integration of transferred genetic material into the recipient cell. Transformation also can move segments of DNA between two genetic elements, thus transformation also aids in the movement of genes from temporary or separate genetic elements into the genome of a recipient. Without homologous recombination and transposition, horizontal gene transfer would result in fewer permanent or heritable genetic changes. Thus without homologous recombination and transposition, horizontal gene transfer would have a lesser effect on evolution.

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