Which process refers to the transfer of genetic material between bacteria via a phage during infection?

Which process refers to the transfer of genetic material between bacteria via a phage during infection?

• A. Transformation
• B. Conjugation
• C. Transduction
• D. Mutation

Answer: (C)

Transduction is the transfer of genetic material between bacteria mediated by a bacteriophage during infection. In this process, a phage can accidentally package fragments of the donor bacterium’s DNA instead of its own genome. When that phage goes on to infect another bacterium, the introduced DNA can recombine with the recipient’s chromosome, spreading new genes. This is different from transformation, where bacteria take up naked DNA from their environment, and from conjugation, which requires direct contact between cells and typically involves transfer of plasmids or the F factor. Mutation is simply a change that occurs within the DNA of a cell, not a transfer of genetic material between cells.

Transduction is the transfer of genetic material between bacteria mediated by a bacteriophage during infection. In this process, a phage can accidentally package fragments of the donor bacterium’s DNA instead of its own genome. When that phage goes on to infect another bacterium, the introduced DNA can recombine with the recipient’s chromosome, spreading new genes. This is different from transformation, where bacteria take up naked DNA from their environment, and from conjugation, which requires direct contact between cells and typically involves transfer of plasmids or the F factor. Mutation is simply a change that occurs within the DNA of a cell, not a transfer of genetic material between cells.