Transduction is a form of horizontal gene transfer which requires a carrier for the genetic information being transferred. What is this carrier and what is it made of?

• A. Transduction particle made of a human virus carrying bacterial DNA.
• B. Transformation particle made of bacteriophage carrying human DNA.
• C. Transduction particle made of a bacteriophage carrying bacterial DNA.
• D. Transduction particle made of a bacteriophage carrying viral DNA.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of transduction: Transduction is a method of horizontal gene transfer in bacteria, where genetic material is transferred from one bacterium to another via a virus.
2. Identify the carrier involved in transduction: The carrier is a bacteriophage, which is a type of virus that infects bacteria.
3. Determine the genetic material being transferred: In transduction, the bacteriophage carries bacterial DNA, not human or viral DNA.
4. Clarify the role of the bacteriophage: During transduction, the bacteriophage accidentally packages bacterial DNA into its capsid during the assembly process.
5. Recognize the correct statement: The correct description of transduction is a transduction particle made of a bacteriophage carrying bacterial DNA.