The following questions refer to this phylogenetic tree, depicting the origins of life and of the three domains. Horizontal lines indicate instances of gene or genome transfer.

Figure 26.4. A possible phylogenetic tree for the three domains of life.
-Which of these processes can be included among those responsible for the horizontal components of Figure 26.4?
A) endosymbiosis
B) mitosis
C) binary fission
D) point mutations
E) S phase of the cell cycle

Question

The following questions refer to this phylogenetic tree, depicting the origins of life and of the three domains. Horizontal lines indicate instances of gene or genome transfer.
  
Figure 26.4. A possible phylogenetic tree for the three domains of life.
-Which of these processes can be included among those responsible for the horizontal components of Figure 26.4?
A) endosymbiosis 
B) mitosis 
C) binary fission 
D) point mutations 
E) S phase of the cell cycle

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Endosymbiosis, the process by which one organism lives inside another, can lead to the transfer of genetic material between the two organisms and therefore contribute to the horizontal components of the phylogenetic tree. Mitosis, binary fission, point mutations, and the S phase of the cell cycle are all processes involved in vertical transmission of genetic information from parent to offspring, and therefore are not responsible for the horizontal components of the phylogenetic tree.

The Following Questions Refer to This Phylogenetic Tree, Depicting the Origins