Horizontal gene transfer has been implicated in the evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria.
What is evolution? Evolution is the gradual change in the inherited traits of biological populations over several generations. These traits are the expressions of DNA is passed down through reproduction from parent to offspring. Because of mutation, genetic recombination, as well as other sources of genetic variation, different traits frequently exist within a population. This variation is subjected to evolutionary processes like natural selection (including mate choice) as well as genetic drift, which cause some traits to become more or less prevalent within a population. This is when evolution occurs. Heritable traits evolve over successive generations as a result of shifting evolutionary pressures which determine whether a trait would be common as well as rare within a population.
