Final answer:
The transfer of DNA from one species to another species is an example of horizontal gene transfer, which can occur through mechanisms like transformation, transduction, and conjugation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asked is: Which of the following is an example of horizontal gene transfer?
- The transfer of DNA from parent to offspring
- The transfer of DNA from mother cell to daughter cell
- The transfer of DNA from one species to another species
The correct answer is the transfer of DNA from one species to another species. This process, known as horizontal gene transfer (HGT), contrasts with vertical transfer, which is the transmission of DNA from parent to offspring. HGT can occur through several mechanisms in prokaryotes, such as transformation, where a cell takes up DNA from the environment; transduction, where a bacteriophage injects hybrid DNA; and conjugation, where DNA is transferred between cells through a cytoplasmic bridge.
These mechanisms allow genetic material to be introduced from one organism to another within the same generation, which can have significant evolutionary impacts. For example, HGT is responsible for the spread of antibiotic resistance genes within bacterial populations—a major concern in medicine today.