1 Transformation: bacteria simply absorb, across their cell membrane and cell wall, DNA that is floating around in the environment. 2  Conjugation: bacteria directly transfer DNA from one bacterium to another through structures called pilli. Transformation: bacteria simply absorb, across their cell membrane and cell wall, DNA that is floating around in the environment. 2  Conjugation: bacteria directly transfer DNA from one bacterium to another through structures called pilli.
Food begins its journey through the digestive system in the mouth, before being pushed by a series of involuntary muscle contractions through the esophagus, then the stomach, and then the small and large intestines.
Others pass through our skin, while still others are released by dying cells or invading bacteria. Many of these toxins pass through the liver -- the body's waste-purification plant -- where they are broken down and removed from the blood before they can do their dirty work.