Question

genetically engineered plasmid dna is taken into an existing bacterial cell. the bacterial cell now has new traits. this is an example of
conjugation
conduction
transformation
influx

Explanation:

• Conjugation: Involves direct cell - to - cell contact for DNA transfer (usually plasmid DNA) between bacteria. But in this case, it's about uptake of plasmid DNA without direct cell - cell contact as described in the problem.
• Conduction: Not a recognized mechanism of genetic transfer in bacteria.
• Transformation: Is the process where a bacterial cell takes up free DNA (such as plasmid DNA) from the environment and then expresses new traits encoded by that DNA. This matches the description in the problem.
• Influx: Is a general term for the inward flow of substances and not a specific genetic transfer mechanism in bacteria.

Answer:

transformation