Bacteria occasionally intermingle and swap DNA. Most such mutations are not viable, but occasionally you end up with the odd survivor.
This gets more interesting with viruses in the mix. When two viruses infect the same host that later gene transfers items genes the viral payload can end up joining.
It’s a weird, fascinating, and somewhat horrifying (conceptually) process.
This gets more interesting with viruses in the mix. When two viruses infect the same host that later gene transfers items genes the viral payload can end up joining.
It’s a weird, fascinating, and somewhat horrifying (conceptually) process.
See: https://youtu.be/GzCLp1KBf4Q