What describes the exchange of nucleic acids between bacteria?

• A. Transduction
• B. Conjugation
• C. Transformation
• D. Replication

Answer: (B)

The exchange of nucleic acids between bacteria is characterized by conjugation. In this process, two bacterial cells connect through a structure known as a pilus, allowing the transfer of genetic material, typically in the form of plasmid DNA. This is a vital mechanism for horizontal gene transfer, which contributes to genetic diversity and the spread of traits such as antibiotic resistance among bacterial populations.

Transduction, on the other hand, involves the transfer of genetic material from one bacterium to another through a bacteriophage (a virus that infects bacteria). Transformation refers to the uptake of free-floating DNA from the environment by bacterial cells. Replication, however, simply pertains to the process by which a bacterium copies its own DNA before cell division and does not involve the exchange of nucleic acids between different bacteria.