Final answer:
The process where bacteria acquire DNA from the environment and express the encoded proteins is called transformation, which allows the bacteria to gain new characteristics and can be used in genetic engineering.
Step-by-step explanation:
The genetic recombination process in which bacteria acquire fragments of DNA from their environment and express the encoded proteins is known as transformation. Bacteria can take up DNA that has been released into the environment by other cells and incorporate it into their own genome. If a bacterium incorporates new DNA through recombination, it can acquire new characteristics such as virulence or antimicrobial resistance. This process is not only a natural phenomenon but can also be exploited in genetic engineering to create recombinant DNA for medicinal products.
Why does a bacterial cell convert environmental DNA into a single-stranded form? One major reason is to evade the bacterial cell's own nucleases that are designed to defend against foreign DNA, particularly double-stranded DNA from viral infections. Single-stranded DNA is less susceptible to these nucleases, thus allowing the DNA to eventually integrate into the bacterial genome.