Which of the following statements is true about bacterial transformation? why?

a) cells can only be transformed when they are in a competent state.
b) transformation may only be performed using plasmid DNA containing antibiotic-resustance genes (R factors)
c) transformed cells are capable of passing their newly-acquired traits onto succeeding generations
d) transformation was first discovered in the bacterium streptococcus pneumonia
e) cells must first be treated artificially in the laboratory before they are capable of undergoing transformation