Fundamentals of Microbiology

3.4.3 Genetic recombination or Gene Transfer

3.4.3 Genetic recombination

In prokaryotes, genetic recombination occurs because fragments of homologous DNA from a donor chromosome are transferred to a recipient cell by any of the three following processes.

1. Transformation – Transfer of bacterial genes involving free DNA
2. Transduction – Transfer of host genes from one cell to another medicated by a virus
3. Conjugation – Transfer or genes from one cell to another involving cell to cell contact and a plasmid.