The transfer of bacterial genes (DNA) from one bacterium to another by means of a (temperature or defective) bacterial virus (bacteriophage). There exist two kinds of transduction: specialized and general. In the case of specialized transduction, a restricted group of host genes becomes integrated into the virus genome. These “guest” genes usually replace some of the virus genes and are subsequently transferred to a second bacterium. In the case of generalized transduction, host genes become a part of the mature virus particle in place of, or in addition to the virus DNA. However, in this case the genes can come from virtually any portion of the host genome and this material does not become directly integrated into the virus genome. In the case of plants, the vector can be Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
The process by which a receptor translates some physical stimulus to give rise to an action potential in another neuron.