What does the term 'transformation' most commonly refer to in genetics?

In genetics, the term 'transformation' most commonly refers to the incorporation of new genes into an organism. This process allows for alterations in the genetic makeup of the host organism, which can lead to new traits or abilities. For instance, transformation typically involves taking up foreign DNA from the environment and incorporating it into the organism's genome. This is a critical tool in molecular biology, especially in the fields of genetic engineering and biotechnology, where scientists can introduce genes of interest into bacterial or plant cells to study gene function, produce proteins, or create genetically modified organisms.

While the other options touch on important genetic concepts, they do not align with the standard definition of transformation. Gene silencing involves mechanisms that suppress gene expression rather than the incorporation of new genetic material. DNA replication refers to the process of duplicating DNA molecules, an essential function during cell division. A segment of DNA that codes for RNA typically pertains to a specific functional unit within the genome, but does not encapsulate the broader concept of transformation.