Question

Eukaryotes pass genes down "vertically" from parents to offspring by meiosis and sexual reproduction. Prokaryotes pass genes down "vertically" as well by the simple method of fission. But prokaryotes also commonly transfer genes "horizontally" from one cell to another without reproduction. Is it true or false that this method of horizontal gene transfer can occur with the assistance of a virus?

Answer 1

This is true that the method of horizontal gene transfer can occur with the assistance of a virus and this is called as transduction. Transduction is the process by which foreign DNA is introduced into a bacterial cell by a virus or viral vector. An example is the viral transfer of DNA from one bacterium to another and hence an example of horizontal gene transfer.