What is the term for the genetic alteration of a cell due to the uptake of exogenous genetic material?

The term for the genetic alteration of a cell due to the uptake of exogenous genetic material is transformation. This process occurs when a recipient cell takes up free, extracellular DNA from its environment and incorporates it into its own genome. Transformation is a natural mechanism for genetic exchange and adaptation that plays a significant role in bacterial evolution and can also be utilized in biotechnology applications. For example, researchers can introduce new traits into bacteria or other organisms to study gene function or produce desired products.

Transduction refers specifically to the transfer of genetic material from one bacterium to another via a bacteriophage (a virus that infects bacteria). Transfection is more commonly used in the context of eukaryotic cells and refers to the introduction of foreign nucleic acids into those cells, often through chemical or physical means. Recombination is the process where genetic material is reorganized to create new allele combinations, which can occur naturally or be induced in laboratories but does not specifically refer to the uptake of exogenous material. Each of these terms describes a different mechanism of genetic change or transfer, which is why transformation is the correct choice in this context.