conjugationa

Conjugation is a process in biology where genetic material is transferred from one bacterium to another. This transfer typically occurs through direct cell-to-cell contact, often facilitated by a structure called a pilus. During conjugation, a donor bacterium extends a pilus to a recipient bacterium, forming a bridge or channel. Genetic material, usually in the form of a plasmid, then moves through this channel from the donor to the recipient. Plasmids are small, circular DNA molecules that can exist independently of the bacterial chromosome.

The transferred genetic material can confer new traits to the recipient bacterium. For instance, a plasmid might carry genes that provide antibiotic resistance, allowing the recipient to survive in the presence of antibiotics. This exchange of genetic material is a significant mechanism for bacterial evolution and adaptation. It allows for the rapid dissemination of advantageous genes within a bacterial population. Conjugation is distinct from other forms of horizontal gene transfer, such as transformation (uptake of free DNA) and transduction (transfer of DNA via a bacteriophage). It is a widespread phenomenon in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.