The following question refers to this phylogenetic tree, depicting the origins of life and the three domains. Horizontal lines indicate instances of gene or genome transfer. A possible phylogenetic tree for the three domains of life.
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Which of these processes can be included among those responsible for the horizontal components of the figure?
A) endosymbiosis
B) mitosis
C) binary fission
D) point mutations

Question

The following question refers to this phylogenetic tree, depicting the origins of life and the three domains. Horizontal lines indicate instances of gene or genome transfer.  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 the figure?
A) endosymbiosis 
B) mitosis 
C) binary fission 
D) point mutations

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Endosymbiosis involves the transfer of genetic material from one organism to another through physical contact and fusion of their cellular structures. This is a likely explanation for the horizontal components in the phylogenetic tree, where gene transfer occurred between different branches. Mitosis and binary fission are processes of cell division and do not involve gene transfer between organisms. Point mutations are changes in the DNA sequence of an organism, but they do not explain the transfer of genetic material between different branches of the phylogenetic tree.

The Following Question Refers to This Phylogenetic Tree, Depicting the Origins