What is a lateral gene transfer

Horizontal gene transfer or lateral gene transfer is the movement of genetic material between unicellular and/or multicellular organisms other than by the transmission of DNA from parent to offspring. HGT is an important factor in the evolution of many organisms.

There are three known mechanisms of lateral gene transfer:

Transformation Transduction Conjugation

Extra:

Transformation: The acquisition of naked DNA.

Example:

Lysed cells; by a recipient cell.