Explain the conjugation in bacteria

Explanation

(a) The transfer of genetic material (DNA) through direct cell to cell contact is known as conjugation.
(b) It was first reported by Leaderberg and Tatum is 1946 in Escherichia coli.
(c ) In E.coli, in addition to the bacterial chromosome or genophore which is the main genetic material, bacteria contain small circular double stranded DNA molecules called plasmids or .F. factor.
(d) E. coil having F factor are called `F^(-)` cells or donor cells and the cells without F factor are called `F^(-)` cells or acceptor cells.
(e ) `F^(+)` cells have pilus or sex pilus. During conjugation the `F^(+)` and `F^(-)` strains come close together. Once contact is established, the pilus shortens to bring the two bacteria close together.
(f) A conjugation tube is established. The plasmid in `F^(+)` replicates and forms a copy of it, which moves to the acceptor cell `(F)`. Thus donor bacterium generally retain a copy of genetic material that is being tranferred.