Transduction in Bacteria - Types, Steps, Process and Example
Transduction in bacteria is a process where genetic material is transferred via bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria). Transduction in Bacteria NEET notes, including steps, are provided below.
Krati Saraswat2 Jun, 2025
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Transduction in Bacteria: Transduction is a method of transferring genetic material between bacteria using a virus called a bacteriophage, which specifically infects bacteria. Bacteriophages can either insert their DNA into the bacterium's chromosome or replicate inside the bacterial cell.
During this replication, some bacterial DNA may be accidentally included with the viral DNA in new virus particles. When these new virus particles infect another bacterium, they inject both the viral and the bacterial DNA into the new host cell. NEET Biology Notes on Transduction in Bacteria are provided in the article below.What is Transduction in Bacteria?
Transduction in bacteria is a process where genetic material from one bacterium is transferred to another bacterium by a virus called a bacteriophage. Bacteriophages infect bacterial cells and replicate within them, passing genetic information during this process. The term transduction also refers to using viral vectors to introduce foreign DNA into cells. This method is a form of horizontal gene transfer, which means transferring genetic material between organisms without involving sexual reproduction or parent-offspring relationships. The donor and recipient bacteria do not need to be in direct contact for transduction to occur. Due to its unique properties, molecular biologists frequently use transduction to introduce foreign genetic material into specific cells for various applications.Discovery of Transduction in Bacteria
The discovery of bacterial transduction can be traced back to 1952 when scientists Norton Zinder and Joshua Lederberg first observed this phenomenon in Salmonella bacteria. Unlike conjugation and other methods of gene transfer, transduction does not require direct contact between the host cell and the donor cell. Instead, it utilizes a virus (bacteriophage) as a carrier. There are two types of transduction: generalized (occurring during the lytic cycle of the virus) and specialized. In the lytic cycle, genetic material can be inadvertently transferred from one bacterium to another by the virus. This process has proven invaluable to molecular biologists as a means to introduce foreign genes into the genomes of host cells.Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants
Transduction in Bacteria Diagram
Transduction in the Bacteria diagram is as follows:Types of Transduction
Transduction is a remarkable process in bacteria where genetic material is transferred from one bacterium to another via a virus known as a bacteriophage. There are two primary forms of transduction:- Generalized transduction: In this form, a bacteriophage incorporates a random fragment of the host bacterium's DNA and its DNA during replication. This phage can then infect another bacterium and introduce the random DNA fragment, which may result in new genetic combinations in the recipient bacterium.
- Specialized transduction: In this form, the bacteriophage integrates its genetic material into the host bacterium's chromosome. During replication, the phage may excise a piece of the bacterial chromosome along with its DNA. This phage can then infect another bacterium and incorporate the bacterial DNA fragment, potentially transferring specific genes.
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| Embryo | Funaria | Selaginella | Malvaceae |
| Polyembryony | Apomixis | Pinus | Pollen Grains |
| Chara | Volvox | Endosperm | Equisetum |
Transduction in Bacteria Principle
Transduction is a process of horizontal gene transfer in bacteria, where genetic material is transferred between bacterial cells by viruses known as bacteriophages (or phages). A bacteriophage infects a bacterial cell. Bacteriophages are viruses that exclusively target bacteria. They can either undergo a lytic cycle (leading to the death of the bacterial cell and the release of new phage particles) or a lysogenic cycle (where the phage DNA integrates into the bacterial chromosome and replicates with the bacterial DNA). During the lytic cycle, the phage replicates its DNA and packages it into new phage particles. Occasionally, a piece of bacterial DNA is mistakenly packaged into a phage particle instead of phage DNA. When the phage carrying the bacterial DNA infects a new bacterial cell, it injects its DNA, which now includes the bacterial DNA fragment, into the new host cell. If the bacterial DNA fragment is compatible with the recipient cell's genome, it can integrate into the chromosome of the recipient cell. This introduces new genes into the recipient cell's genome, potentially endowing it with new traits.Transduction in Bacteria Steps
Transduction is the process where genetic material is transferred between bacteria by a bacteriophage, a type of virus that infects bacteria. Here is an overview of the steps involved in transduction:| NEET Biology Notes | ||
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| Plasma Membrane Structure | Pre-Fertilisation | Economic Importance of Algae |
| Slime moulds | hypotonic solution | Post fertilisation |
1. Infection of the Bacterial Cell by a Bacteriophage
The first step involves a bacteriophage infecting a bacterial cell, which can enter either the lytic cycle or the lysogenic cycle.- Lytic Cycle: In this cycle, the virus takes control of the host cell's machinery to replicate its DNA and produce new phage particles. During this process, the host cell's DNA is broken down. Eventually, the host cell bursts (lyses), releasing the new phage particles.
- Lysogenic Cycle: In this cycle, the viral DNA integrates into the host bacterium's chromosome, becoming a prophage. The prophage can remain inactive for many generations and replicate along with the bacterial chromosome. However, under certain environmental stresses, the prophage can exit the lysogenic cycle and enter the lytic cycle.
2. Packaging of Bacterial DNA
During the formation of new phage particles, a mistake can occur. Instead of packaging only viral DNA, the phage can accidentally include a piece of bacterial DNA in its capsid (protein shell).3. Transduction of Bacterial DNA
The phage particle carrying the bacterial DNA then infects a new bacterial cell.4. Integration or Expression of the Transferred DNA
The newly infected bacterium may integrate the transferred bacterial DNA into its chromosome through homologous recombination, or the transferred DNA may remain as a separate plasmid within the cell. If the transferred DNA includes a functional gene, it can be expressed by the new host cell, leading to a new trait. Transduction is an important mechanism for horizontal gene transfer in bacteria, allowing them to acquire new genes and evolve new traits. This can be advantageous, such as in the development of antibiotic resistance.| NEET Biology Notes | |||
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| Rhizopus | Fibrous root | Marchantia | Actinomycetes |
| Nostoc | Spirogyra | Ribosomes | Liverworts |
Transduction in Bacteria Example
An illustrative example of a generalized transducing phage is P1, which can transfer E. coli DNA to various Gram-negative bacteria. On the other hand, the E. coli phage lambda serves as a classic example of a specialized transducing phage. It integrates its DNA specifically between the operons that encode enzymes for the utilization of galactose (gal) and biotin (bio) in the E. coli chromosome.Application of Transduction
Transduction is a process with many important uses in both research and biotechnology. Here are some of the most significant applications:- Genetic engineering: Transduction is used to insert specific genes into cells. This allows cells to produce proteins or other substances that are useful, such as insulin and human growth hormone in bacteria.
- Gene therapy: Transduction is being explored as a way to treat genetic diseases. It involves introducing a healthy version of a gene into a patient's cells. Clinical trials have used transduction for diseases like cystic fibrosis and hemophilia.
- Studying bacterial genetics: Transduction is a valuable tool for studying how genes work in bacteria. It helps scientists map genes, understand gene control, and discover new genes.
- Evolutionary biology: Transduction plays a role in how bacteria evolve. It allows genes to move between different types of bacteria, helping them adapt to new environments.
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Transduction in Bacteria FAQs
Q 1. What is transduction with an example?
Ans. Transduction refers to the process in which a virus or viral vector carries foreign DNA into a cell. For instance, when a virus transfers DNA from one bacterium to another, it demonstrates horizontal gene transfer.
Q 2. What is the difference between conjugation and transduction?
Ans. In transduction, DNA is unintentionally transferred between bacteria by a virus. In contrast, conjugation involves direct DNA transfer between bacteria through a connecting tube between cells.
Q 3. What is the application of transduction?
Ans. Transduction plays a vital role in genetic engineering by assisting in the introduction of foreign DNA into a host cell. Zinder and Lederberg first identified this technique through their studies on Salmonella. Hershey and Chase later used transduction to confirm that DNA functions as the genetic material.
Q 4. Why is transduction useful?
Ans. Transduction is important in genetic engineering for inserting specific genes into animal and plant cells to alter genetic traits and achieve desired characteristics. It also holds potential in gene therapy for treating genetic disorders.
Q 5. What is bacterial recombination?
Ans. Bacterial recombination is a genetic process where DNA is transferred from one bacterium (donor) to another (recipient). This transfer can occur through transduction, transformation (uptake of external DNA), or conjugation (direct contact between bacteria via a tube).
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