Final answer:
Conjugation between an F+ cell and an F- cell in E. coli results in the transfer of the F plasmid DNA, making the recipient cell an F+ cell capable of conjugation. The process involves the conjugation pilus and the transfer of a single strand of the F plasmid DNA from the donor cell to the recipient cell.
Step-by-step explanation:
Conjugation between an F+ cell and an F- cell in E. coli results in the transfer of the F plasmid DNA from the donor cell to the recipient cell. This transfer is mediated by the conjugation pilus, which brings the two cells into contact.
During conjugation, a single strand of the F plasmid DNA is transferred through a cytoplasmic bridge from the F+ cell to the F- cell. The recipient cell then synthesizes the complementary strand, making the transferred DNA double stranded.
The result of conjugation is that the F- cell becomes an F+ cell, capable of making its own conjugation pilus. Eventually, all cells in a mixed bacterial population containing both F+ and F- cells will become F+ cells.