Which of the following describes the process by which a bacterial cell is genetically altered as the result of uptake, genomic incorporation, and expression of foreign genetic material?
Explanation
Answer: D, The process by which a bacterial cell is genetically altered as the result of uptake, genomic incorporation, and expression of foreign genetic material is called transformation. In transformation, bacteria take up genetic material from the environment through their cell walls.
Key Takeaway: Transformation is a stable genetic change that takes place after naked DNA is taken up and incorporated into the DNA. Only a few species of bacteria have natural competence, or the innate ability to take up genetic material from their environment. Transformation should not be confused with transduction (DNA is introduced in bacteria by viruses) or conjugation (DNA is passed by cell-to-cell contact between bacterial).
