Transduction is one mechanism of genetic transfer resulting in antibiotic resistance by

Transduction is one mechanism of genetic transfer resulting in antibiotic resistance by –

[a] Plasmid
[b] Bacteriophage
[c] Transposons
[d] Insertion sequences

✅ Correct Answer:
[b] Bacteriophage

💡 What is Transduction?
Transduction is a process where bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria) carry genetic material from one bacterium to another. This can include genes that provide antibiotic resistance.

There are two main types:

Generalized transduction: Any bacterial gene can be transferred.

Specialized transduction: Only specific bacterial genes are transferred.

🧠 Explanation of All Options:

Option	Description	Relation to Transduction
[a] Plasmid	Circular DNA molecules that can replicate independently; involved in conjugation, another form of gene transfer.	❌ Not involved in transduction
[b] Bacteriophage	Viruses that infect bacteria; involved in transduction by transferring bacterial DNA.	✅ Correct
[c] Transposons	"Jumping genes" that can move within and between DNA molecules; often carry antibiotic resistance.	❌ Involved in gene mobility, but not transduction
[d] Insertion sequences	Small DNA sequences that can insert into genes; like transposons but simpler.	❌ Not part of transduction