Evolution of Bacteria: They taught this when I went to school, I guess you missed it.

Todar's Online Textbook of Bacteriology

Overview of Bacteriology
© 2004 Kenneth Todar University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Bacteriology

Evolution of Bacteria and Archaea

For most procaryotes, mutation is is a major source of variability that allows the species to adapt to new conditions. The mutation rate for most procaryotic genes is approximately 10-8. This means that if a bacterial population doubles from 108 cells to 2 x 108 cells, there is likely to be a mutant present for any given gene. Since procaryotes grow to reach population densities far in excess of 109 cells, such a mutant could develop from a single generation during 15 minutes of growth. The evolution of procaryotes, driven by such darwinian principles of evolution (mutation and selection) is called vertical evolution

However, as a result of the processes of genetic exchange described above, the bacteria and archaea can also undergo a process of horizontal evolution. In this case, genes are transferred laterally from one organism to another, even between members of different Kingdoms, which may allow immediate experimentation with new genetic characteristics in the recipient. Horizontal evolution is being realized to be a significant force in cellular evolution.

The combined effects of fast growth rates, high concentrations of cells, genetic processes of mutation and selection, and the ability to exchange genes, account for the extraordinary rates of adaptation and evolution that can be observed in the procaryotes.


If you need this spelled out for you, Horizontal Evolution is saying a Virus can become a bacteria, or mould or fungus...
Or is the University of Wisconsin full of it too.........

http://textbookofbacteriology.net/bacteriology.html

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