Cells that have the ability to take up DNA from their environment are said to be ___________.

a. Hfr cells
b. transposing
c. genomic
d. competent

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Understand the context of the question: it asks for the term used to describe cells that can take up DNA from their environment.

Recall that in microbiology, the process by which cells take up foreign DNA from their surroundings is called transformation.

Identify the term that describes cells capable of undergoing transformation; these cells are referred to as 'competent' cells.

Review the answer choices and match the correct term: 'competent' corresponds to cells able to take up DNA.

Conclude that the correct answer is the option labeled 'competent'.

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Competence in Bacteria

Competence refers to the ability of certain bacterial cells to take up extracellular DNA from their environment. This natural process allows bacteria to acquire new genetic traits, such as antibiotic resistance, through transformation.

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Bacterial Transformation

Transformation

Transformation is the genetic alteration of a cell resulting from the direct uptake and incorporation of foreign DNA. It is a key mechanism of horizontal gene transfer in bacteria and requires cells to be in a competent state.

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Bacterial Transformation

Hfr Cells

Hfr (high frequency recombination) cells are bacterial cells with an integrated F plasmid in their chromosome, enabling them to transfer chromosomal genes during conjugation. They are not directly related to DNA uptake from the environment.

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