Final answer:
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is the process of acquiring genetic material from another organism, prevalent in prokaryotes, promoting genetic diversity and natural selection. option a.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mechanism for genetic change that involves the acquisition of genetic material from another organism is known as horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Through HGT, even distantly related species can share genes, influencing their phenotypes.
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is the process of acquiring genetic material from another organism, prevalent in prokaryotes, promoting genetic diversity and natural selection. Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is the process of acquiring genetic material from another organism, prevalent in prokaryotes, promoting genetic diversity and natural selection.