Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is the movement of genetic material between organisms other than through vertical inheritance (parent to offspring). This process contributes significantly to genetic diversity in prokaryotes.
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HGT can occur through transformation, transduction, and conjugation.
It allows for the rapid acquisition of new traits, such as antibiotic resistance.
Transformation involves uptake of naked DNA from the environment.
Transduction is mediated by bacteriophages transferring DNA between bacteria.
Conjugation involves direct cell-to-cell contact for DNA transfer, often via plasmids.