You are studying a new strain of bacteria. You discover that its genome contains some genes that are not found in any form in its most recent ancestor. You suspect

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Horizontal gene transfer refers to the transfer of genes between different organisms, and can result in the presence of genes in a genome that were not present in that organism's most recent ancestor through vertical transmission (i.e. inheritance from parent to offspring). Anagenesis refers to evolution through gradual changes to a lineage, which would not necessarily result in the sudden appearance of new genes. An extremely high rate of mutation could potentially result in the appearance of new genes, but this option does not account for the source of those genes. Cladogenesis refers to evolution through branching of lineages, which would not necessarily result in the appearance of completely new genes, but rather modifications to existing genes.

You Are Studying a New Strain of Bacteria