Mitochondria are thought to be the descendants of certain alpha-proteobacteria. They are, however, no longer able to lead independent lives because most genes originally present on their chromosome have moved to the nuclear genome. Which phenomenon accounts for the movement of these genes?
A)horizontal gene transfer
B)binary fission
C)alternative gene splicing
D)meiosis
E)plasmolysis

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Horizontal gene transfer is the process by which genes are transferred from one organism to another, without being passed down from parent to offspring. This process could be responsible for the movement of the genes from the original bacterial chromosome to the nuclear genome of the host cell, which eventually gave rise to the mitochondria. Binary fission, alternative gene splicing, meiosis, and plasmolysis are not processes that are directly involved in the movement of genes from one genome to another.

Mitochondria Are Thought to Be the Descendants of Certain Alpha-Proteobacteria