what is the function of CaCl2 on E coli cells? Solution Calcium chloride alters cell membrane in a way that favors uptake of exogenous plasmid DNA In artificial competence environment creating pores in bacterial cells by suspending them in a solution containing high concentration of calcium chloride prior to the addition of DNA. It involves the exposure of growing bacterial cells to a hypotonic solution of calcium chloride. DNA can then forced in to the Host cell by heat shock treatment for the process of transformation.