[Campbell Biology P.618] The alga Galdieria sulphuraria Figure 26.22 is presented as an exam... | Practice Question

The alga Galdieria sulphuraria Figure 26.22 is presented as an example of horizontal gene transfer. What key characteristic makes this organism particularly illustrative of HGT's functional significance?

  • A: It primarily acquires genes through vertical gene transmission, leading to unique metabolic pathways.
  • B: Its ability to thrive in extreme environments is linked to nuclear genes acquired from prokaryotic species.
  • C: It demonstrates the horizontal transfer of transposons between eukaryotes, including humans and other primates.
  • D: It suggests that genes are primarily passed vertically from one generation to the next in most algal species.

Explanation

The text explicitly states: 'a recent genomic analysis showed that the alga Galdieria sulphuraria Figure 26.22 acquired about 5% of its nuclear genes from various bacterial and archaeal species... The researchers identified specific genes transferred from prokaryotes that have enabled G. sulphuraria to thrive in such extreme habitats.' This directly supports option B.