Final answer:
The Lederberg and Tatum experiment demonstrated that bacteria could exchange genetic information through conjugation, leading to genetic recombination.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Lederberg and Tatum experiment proved that bacteria can exchange genetic information through a process known as conjugation. In their 1946 study, they demonstrated that genetic recombination could occur in bacteria, leading to new genetic combinations. This finding was significant because it suggested that bacteria could share traits, such as antibiotic resistance, through direct contact.