<prompt> A phenomenon in which transfer of genetic information occurs through the agency of free DNA is known asTransductionTransformationTranscriptionTranslation  <response>: Ans. b Transformation Ref. Q. 102 of MHPGM-2003.TRANSMISSION OF GENETIC MATERIAL IN BACTERIA IS BY-ConjugationThe exchange of chromosomal or plasmid genes from one bacterium to another through conjugal bridgeTransductionThe delivery of bacterial genes from one bacterium to another via a virus vectorTransformationThe uptake and incorporation of free DNA from the environmentLysogenyThe stable association between a bacterium and a temperature phage. It imparts the important traits:O Salmonella O antigen, B botulinum toxin, E erythrogenic toxin of Streptococcus pyogenes,D diphtheria toxin, mnemonic: OBED or a little pregnant with phageTransposonA motile genetic element capable of transposition within a cell; these are responsible for the formation of multiple drug-resistance plasmidsTransfectionTransfer of a gene into a cell, enabling the transfected cell to form a new gene product. 