Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Transduction is the bacteriophage-mediated transfer of genetic material between bacterial cells.
Following entry into the recipient host, the transferred donor DNA can undergo either complete transduction or abortive transduction.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
In complete transduction, the linear donor DNA fragment undergoes homologous recombination and integrates stably into the recipient's chromosome.
This process replaces the recipient's native allele, resulting in a stable recombinant haploid cell.
In abortive transduction, the transferred donor DNA fragment fails to integrate into the host chromosome.
It remains as an unintegrated, non-replicating molecule in the cytoplasm.
Because the host cell contains its own copy of the gene as well as the newly introduced copy on the free fragment, it becomes a partial diploid (merodiploid) for those alleles.
Since the free fragment cannot replicate, it is passed to only one daughter cell during each division, maintaining the partial diploid state in only a single cell lineage.
Thus, Statement (A) is correct as partial diploids can be produced.
However, this partial diploidy is a hallmark of abortive transduction rather than complete transduction, making Statement (B) incorrect.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Hence, the correct option is (C).