Which term describes the mechanism by which a virus packages bacterial DNA and transmits it to another bacterium?

The mechanism by which a virus packages bacterial DNA and transmits it to another bacterium is termed transduction. In this process, a bacteriophage (a virus that infects bacteria) infects a donor bacterium and incorporates some of that bacterium's DNA into its own viral genome. Subsequently, when the virus infects a new recipient bacterium, it can introduce this packaged bacterial DNA into the new host. This transfer of genetic material can contribute to genetic diversity among bacterial populations and is a key driver of horizontal gene transfer.

Conjugation refers to the direct transfer of DNA from one bacterium to another through cell-to-cell contact, often involving a structure known as a pilus. Transformation involves the uptake of free DNA from the environment by bacteria, which can then integrate this DNA into their own genome. Mutation refers to changes in the genetic sequence of an organism’s DNA that occur due to various factors, but does not involve the transfer of DNA between organisms. These processes are distinct from transduction, which specifically involves a viral agent.