Question

What is the difference between “vertical inheritance” and “horizontal inheritance”? Does horizontal inheritance of genes provide evidence against Darwin’s theory of Evolution by Natural Selection? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Verticle inheritance refers to the transfer of genes from parents to offsprings though the process of reproduction. In contrast, Horizontal inheritance or horizontal gene transfer is the movement of genes from one organism to another, both of whom ar ecompletely unrelated.

The major difference between horizontal and verticle inheritance is in the generation of the cells involved. When a gene is transferred between individuals of unrelated generations, it is said to be a horizontal transfer; and when the gene is passed on from parental organism to its own progeny, it is said to be vertical. Horizontal gene transfer is accomplished through bacterial transformation, conjunction or transduction, while vertical transfer is achieved through reproduction.

In biology, evolution is the change in the inherited traits of a population from generation to generation. These traits are the expression of genes that are copied and passed on to offspring during reproduction. New traits can come from transfer of genes between populations, as in migration, or between species, in horizontal gene transfer. Evolution occurs when these heritable differences become more common or rare in a population, either non-randomly through natural selection or randomly through genetic drift. Darwin proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection, meaning that the heritable traits that are helpful for survival and reproduction to become more common, and harmful traits to become more rare. horizontal gene transfer provides a means by which these traits can become more pronounced, thus helping in natural selection. Therefore, we can say that horizontal inheritance is just another evidence for natural selecton and survival of the fittest.