The following questions refer to this phylogenetic tree, depicting the origins of life and of the three domains. Horizontal lines indicate instances of gene or genome transfer.

A possible phylogenetic tree for the three domains of life.
-Which of these processes can be included among those responsible for the horizontal components of the above figure?
A)endosymbiosis
B)mitosis
C)binary fission
D)point mutations
E)S phase of the cell cycle

Question

The following questions refer to this phylogenetic tree, depicting the origins of life and of the three domains. Horizontal lines indicate instances of gene or genome transfer.
  
A possible phylogenetic tree for the three domains of life.
-Which of these processes can be included among those responsible for the horizontal components of the above figure?
A)endosymbiosis 
B)mitosis 
C)binary fission 
D)point mutations 
E)S phase of the cell cycle

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Endosymbiosis is the process by which one organism is engulfed by another and the two become mutually dependent. This process can result in the transfer of genetic material between the two organisms, leading to horizontal gene transfer. The horizontal lines in the above figure likely represent instances of endosymbiosis and gene transfer between the three domains of life. Mitosis, binary fission, point mutations, and the S phase of the cell cycle are all processes associated with cell division or DNA replication, but they are not directly involved in the transfer of genetic material between organisms.

The Following Questions Refer to This Phylogenetic Tree, Depicting the Origins