Question

You are studying how tools have evolved through cultural evolution. You find several instances where groups with very different technologies meet and there is a transfer of technology from one group to the other. This is most similar to what process in biological evolution?

1) genetic drift
2) natural selection
3) Mendelian inheritance
4) horizontal gene transfer

Answer 1

The transfer of technology between different cultural groups is analogous to horizontal gene transfer in biological evolution, where genetic material is exchanged between distinct species.

Step-by-step explanation:

When groups with very different technologies meet and there is a transfer of technology from one group to another, this process is most similar to horizontal gene transfer in biological evolution.

Unlike other forces such as natural selection, genetic drift, or Mendelian inheritance, which alter gene frequency within a population or arise from parent to offspring transmission, horizontal gene transfer allows for the passage of genetic material across different species, leading to genetic variations without reproduction.