A certain sea slug, Elysia chlorotica, "steals" chloroplasts from algae it normally feeds upon, and then uses the chloroplasts to conduct photosynthesis during times of low food availability.Scientists found that the slug carries a chloroplast-maintenance gene in its genome, a gene identical to one found in the algae.The process by which the slug first acquired the gene is called what?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Horizontal gene transfer is the transfer of genetic material from one organism to another that is not its offspring. In this case, the sea slug likely acquired the chloroplast-maintenance gene from the algae through horizontal gene transfer, allowing it to maintain the stolen chloroplasts and conduct photosynthesis. Mutation and natural selection (B) and vertical gene transfer (C) are not applicable in this scenario.

A Certain Sea Slug, Elysia Chlorotica, "Steals" Chloroplasts from Algae