Transfer of a poion of DNA from one bacterium to another by the bacteriophage is known as
**Core Concept**
Transduction is a process of genetic transfer that involves the movement of DNA from one bacterium to another through a bacteriophage (a virus that infects bacteria). This process exploits the fact that bacteriophages can sometimes pick up bacterial DNA during their replication cycle and transfer it to a new host bacterium.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
During the replication cycle of a bacteriophage, it can accidentally pick up a fragment of bacterial DNA, which is then transferred to a new host bacterium when the phage infects it. This process is more likely to occur when the phage is in the process of lysing the host bacterium, releasing its genetic material into the environment. The transferred DNA can then be incorporated into the genome of the new host bacterium, resulting in the transfer of genetic information.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is likely referring to transformation, which is the direct uptake of free DNA from the environment by a competent bacterium. While transformation is a method of genetic transfer, it does not involve a bacteriophage as the vector.
**Option B:** This option is likely referring to conjugation, which is a process of genetic transfer that involves direct cell-to-cell contact between two bacteria. While conjugation is a method of genetic transfer, it does not involve a bacteriophage as the vector.
**Option D:** This option is likely referring to gene editing, which is a process of making targeted changes to the genome of an organism. While gene editing can involve the transfer of genetic material, it is not a process that is mediated by a bacteriophage.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Transduction can be an important mechanism of genetic transfer in the spread of antibiotic resistance genes among bacteria. This is because transduction can result in the transfer of large DNA fragments, including genes that confer resistance to antibiotics.
**Correct Answer: C. Transduction**