Final answer:
Transformation is a biological process where a prokaryote takes up DNA from its environment that has been shed by other prokaryotes, allowing for horizontal gene transfer. It can lead to the spread of traits like antibiotic resistance and is utilized in genetic engineering.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of a bacterium taking in genetic material found in the medium is known as transformation. During transformation, prokaryotic cells can take up DNA from their environment that has been shed by other prokaryotes. This process is a form of horizontal gene transfer and is one of the ways that bacterial cells can acquire new genetic traits, such as antibiotic resistance or the ability to produce toxins.
Bacterial transformation can occur naturally in the environment when DNA is released from a dead cell and then taken up by a neighboring cell. However, transformation can also be induced artificially in a lab setting, which has practical applications in genetic engineering and biotechnology. This mechanism is distinct from other forms of horizontal gene transfer such as transduction, where bacteriophages transfer DNA, and conjugation, where DNA is transferred through direct cell-to-cell contact via a pilus.
In medical contexts, the transfer of genes for antibiotic resistance via transformation poses a significant challenge, as it can contribute to the spread of resistance among pathogenic bacteria. Conversely, researchers can exploit transformation to introduce specific genes into bacteria for study or for creating genetically modified organisms with desirable traits.