The phenomenon of bacterial transduction involves transfer of bacterial DNA via:

• A Direct cell-to-cell contact through a pilus (F-pilus)
• B Uptake of free DNA from the environment by competent bacteria
• C Conjugative plasmid transfer through cell-to-cell fusion
• D Bacteriophage carrying bacterial chromosomal or plasmid DNA from donor to recipient ✓

Explanation

Transduction is horizontal gene transfer mediated by bacteriophages that accidentally package bacterial DNA instead of (or in addition to) their own DNA, then inject it into a new recipient bacterial cell. Generalized transduction packages random chromosomal fragments (occurs during lytic phage cycle); specialized transduction packages genes adjacent to the prophage integration site (only during induction of lysogenic phage). Conjugation requires direct pilus-mediated cell contact. Transformation involves uptake of free DNA by competent cells. Transfer by cell fusion is not a standard bacterial mechanism.

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

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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