In bacterial genetics, the transfer of DNA between bacteria via a bacteriophage vector is called:

• A Transformation
• B Conjugation
• C Translocation
• D Transduction ✓

Explanation

Transduction is the transfer of bacterial DNA from one cell to another using a bacteriophage as a vector. In generalised transduction, random bacterial DNA is packaged into phage heads; in specialised transduction, only specific genes adjacent to the phage integration site are transferred. Transformation involves uptake of naked DNA. Conjugation requires cell-to-cell contact via pili and a plasmid (F-factor). Transduction is responsible for transfer of toxin genes in diphtheria (beta-phage), erythrogenic toxin in Streptococcus (T12 phage), and Shiga toxin in STEC (lambda-like phage).

Reference: Ananthanarayan & Paniker's Textbook of Microbiology, 11th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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