← Chapter 7
Microbiology · Chapter 7

Horizontal Gene Transfer: Three Ways to Share DNA

Bacteria don’t only inherit genes from a parent — they can grab new ones sideways from other cells. These horizontal transfers are exactly how antibiotic-resistance genes leap between microbes. Tap each route, then drop DNase into the dish to see which one it can stop.

Pick a route

Horizontal gene transferthree routes — tap one to compare
Carrier—
Contact—
DNase blocks?—