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Genes can be passed between organisms in two main ways: vertical transmission and horizontal transmission. Vertical gene transmission is when genetic information is transferred from a parent cell to its offspring during reproduction. This is the most common way organisms pass down inherited traits. In bacteria, this usually happens during binary fission when one cell copies its DNA and splits into two new cells. This process helps keep genetic characteristics moving from one generation to the next (Parker et al., 2026).
Horizontal gene transmission works differently because the genetic material is exchanged between organisms that are not directly related as parent and offspring. Bacteria are able to swap DNA through methods like conjugation, transformation, and transduction. This matters because it helps bacteria pick up new characteristics very quickly, including antibiotic resistance. I think this process is really interesting because it shows how microorganisms can rapidly adjust and survive when conditions change. Even though both forms of gene transfer are important, horizontal transfer is a major reason harmful bacteria can spread resistance so fast, making it a huge topic in microbiology today (Parker et al., 2026). Need Assignment Help?