What is the term for the process by which bacteria uptake naked DNA from their environment?

The process by which bacteria uptake naked DNA from their environment is known as transformation. This occurs when a bacterium takes up extracellular DNA that is released from other bacteria into the surrounding environment. This DNA can be from lysed bacteria or obtained through various means, and it may include genes that can confer advantageous traits, such as antibiotic resistance.

Transformation is a natural mechanism for genetic exchange among bacteria, allowing for genetic diversity within populations even in the absence of direct contact between cells, which would be necessary for processes like conjugation. Unlike transduction, which involves the transfer of DNA via a bacteriophage, transformation is independent of other organisms for the transfer of genetic material. The term replication refers specifically to the process of duplicating DNA prior to cell division, and it is not related to the uptake of external DNA.