Which bacterial recombination method involves the transfer of DNA through bacteriophages?

The method of bacterial recombination that involves the transfer of DNA through bacteriophages is transduction. In this process, bacteriophages, which are viruses that infect bacteria, can transfer genetic material from one bacterial cell to another. During viral replication within a bacterial host, parts of the bacterial DNA can be mistakenly packaged into new phage particles. When these phages infect another bacterium, they can inject this genetic material into the new host, leading to genetic changes in that bacterium. This mechanism plays a significant role in genetic diversity among bacterial populations and can contribute to the spread of traits such as antibiotic resistance.

Transformation refers to the uptake of free DNA from the environment by a competent bacterial cell, while conjugation involves the direct transfer of DNA between two bacteria through physical contact, usually via a pilus. Replication is the process of copying the bacterial DNA to ensure that each daughter cell receives an identical set of genetic information. These processes are distinct from transduction, which specifically involves bacteriophages as vectors for DNA transfer.