Question

What is the function of the conjugation pilus?

Answer 1

The conjugation pilus, also known as a sex pilus, is a hollow tube composed of protein that brings two bacterial cells into contact for the process of conjugation. It enables the transfer of genetic material, usually in the form of a plasmid, from a donor cell (F+) to a recipient cell (F-).

Step-by-step explanation:

Conjugation is a mechanism of horizontal gene transfer in bacteria where DNA is directly transferred from one cell to another using a conjugation pilus, also known as a sex pilus. The conjugation pilus is a hollow tube composed of protein that brings two bacterial cells into contact for the process of conjugation. It enables the transfer of genetic material, usually in the form of a plasmid, from a donor cell (F+) to a recipient cell (F-).

Answer 2

It is involved in the process of conjugation-exchange of genetic material between two bacteria

Step-by-step explanation:

Conjugation is one of the ways by which bacteria exchange their genetic material (horizontal gene transfer). Two bacterial cells must physically connect in order to perform the conjugation. The linking occurs through a pilus.

Pilus is an appendage on the surface of bacteria cell and it is also called fimbria. Pilus is filamentous, tubular and composed of oligomeric proteins-pilin.

Donor cell contain pilus that will attach to the recipient bacterial cell and induce the transfer.