Transformation is one of three processes by which exogenous genetic material may be introduced into a bacterial cell. We can say that transformation occurs when the direct uptake of exogenous genetic material is incorporated and expressed in a cell resulting in a genetic alteration. Transformation may also be used to describe the insertion of new genetic material into nonbacterial cells, including animal and plant cells.
The other two processes are conjugation (transfer of genetic material between two bacterial cells in direct contact) and transduction (injection of foreign DNA by a bacteriophage virus into the host bacterium).
Introduction of foreign DNA into eukaryotic cells is often called transfection. Transfection of animal cells typically involves opening "holes" in the cell membrane to allow the uptake of genetic material or even proteins such as antibodies.
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