What is the primary result of bacterial transformation?

Bacterial transformation is a process by which bacteria take up foreign DNA from their environment and incorporate it into their own genomes. This mechanism plays a crucial role in horizontal gene transfer, allowing genetic material to be exchanged between different bacterial cells. The primary result of this process is gene transfer, which can introduce new traits and capabilities, such as antibiotic resistance or the ability to utilize new nutritional sources.

While increased virulence, formation of pili, and antibiotic resistance may all be associated with the outcome of transformation, they are not the primary result of the process itself. Instead, these are potential effects that can occur as a consequence of the genes transferred during transformation. Therefore, identifying gene transfer as the primary result captures the essence of what transformation entails, emphasizing its role in changing the genetic landscape of bacterial populations.