Transdukující

Transdukující is a term used in biology and genetics to describe the process by which DNA is transferred from one bacterium to another by a virus. This process is known as transduction. Viruses that facilitate this transfer are called bacteriophages or phages.

There are two main types of transduction: generalized transduction and specialized transduction. In generalized transduction, any part of the bacterial DNA can be transferred to the new host. This occurs when a phage mistakenly packages a fragment of the host bacterium's DNA instead of its own viral DNA during the phage replication cycle. When this phage infects a new bacterium, it injects the bacterial DNA fragment instead of viral DNA, thus transferring genetic material.

Specialized transduction, on the other hand, involves the transfer of only specific segments of bacterial DNA. This happens when a temperate phage integrates its DNA into the bacterial chromosome at a specific location. When the phage DNA is later excised from the chromosome to initiate a lytic cycle, it may sometimes take adjacent bacterial genes with it. These specific bacterial genes are then packaged into new phage particles and can be transferred to another bacterium.

Transduction is a significant mechanism for horizontal gene transfer in bacteria, contributing to genetic diversity and the spread of traits such as antibiotic resistance. It is also a valuable tool in molecular biology for genetic engineering and research.