Explain the concept of transformation in bacteria.

• A. Introduction of foreign DNA into bacterial cells, enabling replication and production of the gene product.
• B. Process of bacterial sporulation.
• C. Uptake of nutrients by diffusion.
• D. Bacteria converting sunlight into energy.

Answer: (A)

Transformation is the uptake of DNA from the external environment by bacterial cells, followed by incorporation of that DNA into the cell’s genome or maintenance on a plasmid. If the incoming DNA carries a gene, the cell can replicate that DNA and express the gene, producing the gene product. This horizontal gene transfer is what the concept is about: bacteria acquiring new genetic material from their surroundings and turning it into functional traits. The other options describe different ideas—sporulation (forming spores for survival), diffusion-based nutrient uptake, and photosynthesis (using light for energy)—which do not involve taking up and expressing foreign DNA.