Which of the following refers to the uptake of naked DNA from the surrounding environment?

conjugation

generalized transduction

specialized transduction

transformation

The correct answer will be option - transformation.

Explanation:

The transformation is the process of the horizontal transfer of gene in which the competent cells takes the naked DNA from the environment.

This process was reported in the experiments of Griffith on Streptococcus pneumonia in 1928. The bacteria should be competent to take up the free extracellular DNA form the environment. This ability of the bacteria is used in biotechnology and molecular biology in cloning procedures and many others.

Thus, option - transformation is the correct answer.