What is heat shock in bacterial transformation?

Heat shock in bacterial transformation refers to a laboratory technique used to facilitate the uptake of foreign DNA by bacteria. This process involves exposing chemically competent bacterial cells to a sudden increase in temperature, typically around 42°C, for a short duration. The heat shock creates a temporary imbalance in the bacterial membrane, opening transient pores that allow the DNA to enter the cell. Following this step, the cells are cooled to stabilize the membrane and retain the introduced DNA.