Final answer:
Conjugation is the process where genetic material, typically a plasmid, is transferred between prokaryotic cells such as bacteria, through a structure known as the F pilus or sex pilus, contributing to genetic diversity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Conjugation is the transfer of genetic information from one cell to another through a sex pilus. In prokaryotes such as bacteria, this process is a form of horizontal gene transfer and increases genetic diversity within the bacterial population. The donor cell, which contains the F plasmid (fertility factor), forms the F pilus, also referred to as the sex pilus. This structure enables the donor cell to attach to a recipient cell. Following this attachment, the two cells' membranes come together, forming a bridge that allows plasmid DNA to move into the recipient cell. This mechanism plays a crucial role in bacterial adaptation and evolution by spreading genes associated with antibiotic resistance, virulence factors, and metabolic capabilities.