In prokaryotes, horizontal gene transfer (HGT), the transfer of genetic material from one organism to another organism within the same generation, is an important way to promote genetic diversity. HGT allows even distantly related species to share genes, influencing their phenotypes.
Transformation: Mode of genetic transfer in which “bare DNA” is taken up from the environment is taken up by cells
Transduction: Mode of genetic transfer in which genes are transferred by a bacteriophage to a bacterial cell
Conjugation: Mode of genetic transfer in which two cells must come in contact and genetic material is transferred to a recipient cell from a donor cell through its pili