What is transduction in bacteria?

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Transduction in bacteria refers to a specific mechanism of horizontal gene transfer that involves bacteriophages, which are viruses that infect bacteria. During this process, a bacteriophage can accidentally incorporate portions of bacterial DNA into its own viral particle during the assembly of new viruses. When this bacteriophage infects another bacterial cell, it can introduce the previously incorporated bacterial DNA into the new host, facilitating genetic recombination. This allows for the transfer of traits such as antibiotic resistance or metabolic capabilities from one bacterium to another, contributing significantly to genetic diversity and evolution among bacterial populations.

The other options reference different biological processes that do not pertain directly to transduction. For instance, exchanging DNA via plasmids relates to another method of gene transfer known as conjugation, and DNA repair processes are distinct from transduction. Additionally, while infections can occur due to bacteriophages infecting bacteria, this does not encompass the specific exchange of genetic material that defines transduction.