Basis of differentiation 

Transformation 

Conjugation 

Definition 

Is the genetic alteration of a cell caused by the direct uptake and incorporation of exogenous genetic material from the external cellular environment through the cell membrane

Is the process by which one bacterium transfers genetic material to another through direct contact

Vector 

Free extracellular DNA transfers in transformation

Direct cell-to-cell contact occurs in conjugation 

Nature of DNA transferred

Any or selected genes 

Chromosomal and plasmid DNA

Rate factors 

Pair-wise compatibility of donor and recipient 

Competence rate of the recipient 

Constraints

Approximately 1% of the species is transformable

Is only possible for conjugative and mobilizable plasmids

Advantages

Transformation can transfer any gene

Is DNase resistant

Limitation 

Is DNase sensitive, and a relatively low range of bacteria can be made competent

Only mobile genetic elements such as transposons and mobilizable plasmids can be transferred