Can bacteria transform naturally? If so, how?

Yes, some bacteria can transform naturally through a process called natural competence. In this process, certain bacterial species can take up free DNA from their environment under specific conditions. These bacteria secrete enzymes that bind and transport extracellular DNA into the cell. The acquired DNA may integrate into the bacterial genome through homologous recombination or remain as an independent plasmid. Natural transformation plays a key role in microbial evolution and adaptation.