The uptake of naked DNA by a bacterial cell is characteristic of which process?

The uptake of naked DNA by a bacterial cell is characteristic of transformation. Transformation is a process through which bacteria can acquire genetic material from their environment, specifically DNA that is free in the surrounding medium, often resulting from the lysis of other bacterial cells. This ability allows for genetic variation and adaptability within bacterial populations.

During transformation, the bacterial cell takes up this naked DNA through its cell membrane and can integrate it into its own genome through recombination processes. This mechanism is particularly important in natural genetic exchange and can confer new traits, such as antibiotic resistance or metabolic capabilities, to the recipient bacteria.

In contrast, conjugation involves the transfer of DNA through direct contact between bacteria, typically mediated by a pilus, while transduction relies on bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria) to carry genetic material from one bacterium to another. Integration refers to the incorporation of DNA into a host genome but does not by itself describe the uptake process. Therefore, transformation specifically captures the essence of how naked DNA is taken up by bacterial cells.