lysogenic conversion

This means of transferring genetic information, imparts genes with special functions to bacterial cells without such functions. It is common in bacteria and is an important aspect of the epidemiology (incidence, distribution, and control) of infectious diseases.

But how and from where does this genetic information come? Surely there must be some source for it.

The bacteriophages are the source of the DNA material. Only temperate bacteriophages incorporate their genetic material into the bacterial chromosomal DNA becuase they undergo a LYSOGENIC LIFE CYCLE. The virulent bacteriophages, on the other hand, do not cause lysogenic conversion because they undergo a LYTIC LIFE CYCLE, destroying the host bacterium in the process.