Biology · Principles and Processes in Biotechnology

What is the role of divalent cations like \( \text{Ca}^{2+} \) during the preparation of competent host cells for bacterial transformation?

1. To degrade host cell walls completely
2. To increase the efficiency with which DNA enters the bacterium through pores
3. To bind exclusively with RNA and prevent its translation
4. To act as a restriction endonuclease for plasmid cleavage