Competent cells are bacterial cells that can accept extra-chromosomal DNA or plasmids (naked DNA) from the environment. ... Bacteria can also be made competent artificially by chemical treatment and heat shock to make them transiently permeable to DNA.

What are competent cells?

What are competent cells? Cell competence refers to a cell's ability to take up foreign (extracellular) DNA from its surrounding environment. The process of genetic uptake is referred to as transformation.

Are bacterial cells naturally competent?

Many bacteria are naturally competent, able to actively transport environmental DNA fragments across their cell envelope and into their cytoplasm.