Final answer:
Transduction is the process where bacteriophages transfer genetic material from one bacterium to another, via generalized or specialized means, potentially leading to new traits in the recipient bacteria.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process that involves bacteriophages transferring pieces of bacterial DNA from one cell to another is known as transduction. This can occur through either generalized transduction, where any piece of bacterial chromosomal DNA may be transferred, or specialized transduction, which involves the transfer of specific pieces of DNA near the site where the bacteriophage integrates into the bacterial chromosome.
Generalized transduction typically happens during the phage's lytic cycle, while specialized transduction occurs when a prophage is excised from the bacterial chromosome during the lysogenic cycle. The resulting recombinant bacteria may express new properties, such as antibiotic resistance or new metabolic capabilities, due to the integration and expression of the new DNA.