Question

"You begin an experiment with two populations of E. coli that are each composed of 100 cells. The cells are all genetically identical (i.f., they are clones). You grow these populations in flasks on a lab bench under identical conditions with sufficient resources for the survival of all individuals. What process will introduce genetic variation into these populations?"

Answer 1

Horizontal method of gene transfer

Step-by-step explanation:

Bacteria divide by binary fission which produces the exact copy of the daughter cells with the same genetic material but they do exhibit variation in their genetic material.

The process that is responsible to introduce the genetic variation is the mechanisms of horizontal methods of DNA transfer which involves the transformation, transduction and conjugation.

These methods of gene transfer are considered by the biologist as the primitive methods of sexual reproduction.

Thus, Horizontal method of gene transfer is the correct answer.