Final answer:
The process of inserting a recombinant plasmid into bacteria using heat shock is called transformation, which is a cornerstone technique in genetic engineering for prokaryotic gene transfer, alongside methods like transduction and conjugation.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a recombinant plasmid is inserted into bacteria, such as E. coli, through a method involving heat shock, this process is known as transformation. This technique utilizes a heat shock procedure to induce the bacteria to take up the plasmid DNA. In the broader context of genetic engineering, transformation changes an organism by introducing new genetic material, which thereby alters its genetic makeup.
Aside from transformation, there are other mechanisms of gene transfer in prokaryotes, such as transduction, where a bacteriophage transfers genes between bacteria, and conjugation, involving the transfer of genes through a direct connection between two bacterial cells.
Selecting a host cell to replicate, transcribe, and translate the recombinant DNA is crucial. Methods like heat shock create temporary pores in the bacterial cell membrane, allowing the DNA to enter. The success of this process is followed by selection techniques, making certain only bacteria with recombinant DNA are grown further.